by Roberta Murphy This video really has nothing to do with luxury, luxury homes or anything of the sort. But, it has a lot to do with a big, big heart, quick action and enormous courage–and the compelling story of how one dog bravely saves the life of another. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2qSakxWt54[/youtube]
Even Luxury Home Loans Can be Modified
by Roberta Murphy One Can Modify Luxury Home Loans, too? Not all clients took my conservative mortgage advice over the years, and some ended up with home loans that have turned downright nasty. In one case, a client and dear friend was persuaded to take out a Negative Amortizing Adjustable Rate Mortgage (Neg Am) along with a HELOC (Home Equity Line of Credit) a few weeks after the purchase of…
Luxury Buyers Digging in Their Heels?
by Roberta Murphy Dear friends returned with big smiles and fat packages after a trip to Las Vegas prior to Christmas. Ulf and Andrea walked into the Saks Fifth Avenue store on Las Vegas Boulevard–and encountered rack after rack of clothing discounted up to 80 percent off. These were sales never seen in the weeks before Christmas, and they happily bagged up their luxury bargains and returned to Southern California….
Bailout for the Wealthy?
by Roberta Murphy I am still chuckling over the wit and common sense of Wanda Sykes as she rants at Jay Leno over a Government bailout plan that has most eyebrows raised: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXznKV7rw7k[/youtube]
Chilean Wine: You’ve Got to Be Kidding!
by Eve Sieminski I can’t begin to tell you how many years I have had a prejudice against Chilean wines. Each time I tried one, I was unimpressed–or worse, ended up with a raging headache. Living in California, we are positively spoiled when it comes to wine. We have a never ending selection of fine wines, so it never occurred to me to search out fine wines from Chile. At…
Luxury on Ice: Iglu-Dorf
by Scott Murphy I grew up in the mountains at Big Bear Lake and spent many winters building igloos. Behind all the effort was the dream that I would one day get to sleep overnight in one of these icy creations. It now appears someone in Switzerland has beaten me to the punch. Perched 8,500 ft in the Swiss mountains above 5-star resorts sits Davos, Switzerland. Here one will find…
Hidden Asbestos Dangers in Your Home?
by Roberta Murphy A dear friend who bought her 1970’s-vintage La Costa home ten years ago recently experienced a flooded bathroom that required the removal of drywall. Discovered behind that wall was the dreaded A-word: Asbestos. She will have to move out of her home so that the guys in white suits and masks can come in and remove the lethal substance. Chris is taking it in good stride, and…
A Crash in Classified Ads?
by Roberta Murphy Earlier today, a client emailed my husband Mike about a great deal on a red Mercedes 500 SL convertible available on eBay. It was a 2004 model with only 7000 miles and offered a three-year warranty to boot. Located in Florida, this two-seater beckoned with a red price tag of around $28,000. Ever the bargain hunter, Mike grabbed the San Diego Union Tribune’s Sunday classified section for…
Twittering a Really Twisted Wine
by Eve Sieminski When not engaged in San Diego real estate, cooking, travel and other ventures, you just might find me twittering on Twitter. In fact, by keeping my Mac PowerBook close at hand, I just might be reporting on and following thoughts, ideas and friends via Twitter, that ubiquitous social networking site (just follow me @EveSieminski). Six months ago, I would never have dreamed of discovering a favorite wine…
Caribbean Luxury Resorts in Trouble?
by Roberta Murphy For those who still haven’t made travel plans, there may be some surprising resort bargains to consider–while other large and super-luxurious resorts are stalled under construction and financing difficulties. Crisis in Paradise via Breitbart shares some disturbing news: Cap Cana, a luxury resort under development in the Dominican Republic is now reportedly paralyzed. A mega resort with four luxury hotels, villas (with roof tiles on the ground),…
