by Roberta Murphy It had to happen sooner or later. With the falling dollar, American real estate has become a screaming bargain to foreign investors around the world. Real estate prices in many prime US locales have already declined, and must be irresistible for those who are purchasing with Euros or Canadian dollars. Now, many Americans who have been living abroad are considering a return home, where the purchasing power…
The Timeless Luxury Home in Vista, CA
by Roberta Murphy Sometimes you walk into a home, sense both timeless soul and serenity–and can’t help but smile. We recently listed such an estate in the beautiful hills of Vista, California. Its current and original owners are a spirited and beautiful international opera singer and her dashing husband, a retired professor of art. With loving attention to detail, it seems nothing was missed in the completion of this luxurious…
Real Estate Exchanges: Banter and Barter
by Roberta Murphy Yesterday afternoon and evening were devoted to Leaving Las Vegas. I was tired of long lines at the airport, anxious to get back to San Diego, and was dismayed to hear the Southwest flight had been delayed two hours. I spent much of the time catching up on email, reading about Costa Rica and near the end of the wait, met David Greenberger, a real estate attorney…
Commission Conundrum with Luxury Real Estate
by Roberta Murphy A year or so ago, real estate circles were abuzz with argument and discussion about the pros and cons of discount real estate services and commissions. Discounter Redfin had opened with one agent in San Diego, and their CEO Glenn Kelman promised that real estate discounters would turn the real estate brokerage business either upside down or inside out (I dont recall which). Beating Kelman at his…
San Diego Fires: Coming Home to Ashes
by Roberta Murphy The displaced people of San Diego County are beginning to return home. Most return to standing homes; 1600 or so others are greeted by their nightmares: Homes destroyed by fires. We are just beginning to hear and see stories of people returning to the burned heaps of rubble that were once their homes. They sift through some of the debris and find broken china, perhaps a metal…
The Witch Creek Fire
by Roberta Murphy I awoke at 4:30 a.m. yesterday morning with a sense of dread, quickly remembering that there is a demon called the Witch Creek Fire raging in the communities around our home in La Costa. It is just one of several mega firestorms raging in San Diego County–but is the one we fear(ed) the most. Monday afternoon, our Reverse 911 system called to inform us we are under…
The Witch Fire: Nightmare in Rancho Santa Fe
The Witch Fire I awoke at 4:30 this morning with a sense of dread, quickly remembering that there is a firestorm raging in the communities around our home in La Costa. Yesterday afternoon, the Reverse 911 system called to inform us we are under “volunteer evacuation” guidance. We chose to remain home because the fires are distant and the ocean even closer. A half-packed suitcase sits by the bedroom door,…
The Luxurious Closet
by Roberta Murphy In our coastal San Diego luxury real estate market, buyers are almost manic about their closets–and especially the ones in the master suite. Luxury home buyers are most pleased when there are separate closets for each–or if single, closets for the seasons. The compleat closet in the luxury home will be spacious, well lighted and masterfully organized. It is a room where we prepare ourselves to meet…
Lenders: Pre-Negotiate Your Short Sales
by Roberta Murphy We are trained and skilled negotiators. Give us a chance, and we could probably get hostages released from terrorists, convince a teenager to leave his tongue unpierced (perhaps)–or successfully negotiate a sale leaseback of the Brooklyn Bridge. As competent Realtors, it’s what we enjoy doing, and we are passionate about negotiating on behalf of our clients. Most successful transactions have been hammered out when we account for…
Sotheby’s Realty Debuts in San Diego
Owners of luxury real estate in San Diego should be celebrating because of the long-awaited arrival of Sotheby’s International Realty. It’s been a long time coming, but luxury listings in San Diego County will now reach the plasma displays at Sotheby’s Auctions throughout the world. Passing by the Sotheby’s real estate desk, an equestrian property in Rancho Santa Fe might tweak the interest of buyers attending a contemporary art sale…
