Jumbo Loans are Back with a Bang to Fuel the Luxury Real Estate Market by Selena Cowell Is the luxury real estate market on the mend? Home sales and prices are gradually rising in those places where the wealthy would like to plant their mailboxes–such as Chicago’s North Shore, the San Francisco Bay area, the haute Hamptons and the Rancho Santa Fe and La Jolla areas near San Diego. According…
The Luxury of Losses
Losses…. I’ll be the first to admit that I’m a loser when it comes to sunglasses, pens and keys. Call it distraction, absent-mindedness–or as my ex-husband and shrink used to say, “non-thinking beahvior patterns.” These are losses I’ve come to endure–sorta. But I’m the one who pays–in time lost searching and sometimes with money. But what about our government? I understand “they” operate on a grander scale and that some…
A Just Solution for Jodi Arias
by Roberta Murphy Let me start of by saying I am no Jodi Arias fan and I would be happy to never hear her name again as long as I live. Or see her face. So here’s my two cent solution for the judge in this case: Give Jodi the “lesser” punishment. Jodi Arias should be sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole (perhaps under supervision of…
The Luxury of a Senior Discount
Who doesn’t like a discount when stepping out? Below is a long list of restaurants, stores, grocery chains, airlines , hotels and car rental agencies that offer senior discounts–with minimum qualifying ages ranging from 50 to 65. Many of these discounts are not published or advertised, so you must ask for them. Please print or save this link for future reference, and if you have any corrections or additons, please…
Taking BMW to the Matte
by Roberta Murphy–I’m not really into the luxury of high maintenance–especially when it comes to cars. But could this this gun metal grey BMW that is otherwise not as the Frozen Gray M3 Coupe be an exception? It’s a sexy, slinky-looking car to be sure, but the exterior maintenance is sure to be a pain. Owners must fill out a special stack of paperwork before taking possession of their new…
Most Expensive Rental in the U.S.
by Roberta Murphy–At $600,000 per month, the Beverly Mansion in Beverly Hills, is most likely contender for most expensive luxury rental in the nation. And it’s got an interesting history as well. It was in the Beverly Mansion that the infamous horse-head-in-bed scene was filmed for The Godfather. John F. Kennedy and his bride honeymooned in the Beverly Mansion. Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston filmed scenes for The Bodyguard here. Marion…
Between Rancho Santa Fe and the Beach…
Between Rancho Santa Fe and the beaches in Encinitas sits an irreplaceable plot of land that surely belongs to another century. The wide and expansive rear lawn backs up to pasture, wetlands and forest beyond. Family of deer come grazing and cows come to visit when the lawnmower is at work. Late afternoons, it is not unusual to see colorful hot air balloons gliding across the sky–and the stars at…
Swiss Homeowners Most Indebted in World
by Roberta Murphy Would you believe that Swiss homeowners are sitting on a “mountain of debt” and that the Swiss National Bank claims that mortgage credit now represents 103.6 percent of Switzerland’s Gross Domestic Product or GDP? The Swiss are only outdone by the Netherlands with 107.1, according to SwissInfo, who also report that other heavy debtors include the United States at 76.5 percent and Spain at 64. The…
How to Make Your Home Look More Luxurious (Inexpensively)
Making Your Home Look Luxurious Without Breaking the Bank When purchasing a home it comes down to price, function and luxury. Most people look for and want as many luxuries as they can get for the right price. In new home purchases, these are often called “upgrades,” and they can run into thousands of dollars. For those who can’t afford a total remodel or who prefer not to spend a…
The Luxury of a $500,000 Closet
by Roberta Murphy We’ve written about luxury closets in the past, but these days some are spending up to $500,000 for a luxe master closet that might include a champagne refrigerator, sound system, glass-enclosed display cabinets, wet bar or even a breakfast area. Gone are the simpler days of a luxurious dressing room. The master closet area has become a destination room. The Wall Street Journal reported yesterday on four…
