February 2012

Greetings!

Castles and Estates magazine. I.R.E.S. Luxury Properties Around the World.

Last month, I wrote that I had some exciting news. Yes, about me... and you. I have recently been trained and certified as an International Real Estate Specialist (I.R.E.S.) and Re/MAX is the only brokerage in Arizona presently affiliated with this. What this means is that a concept that has been utilized throughout Europe and indeed the world for quite some time, has now been approved for participation, (but solely by certified agents) throughout the United States. As opposed to an agent being able to market your luxury property only locally within the Multiple Listing System and via the Internet, as an I.R.E.S agent I am able to do not only that, but of far greater consequence, I can list it, co-list it, and advertise it both nationally, as well as all over the world. Co-listing with an agent outside of Arizona gives that agent a vested interest (because they are paid a commission) in advertising and marketing your property in their local real estate systems (i.e. MLS) and in all of their marketing materials.
And, they can co-list their properties with me, enabling exposure through my sphere of clients. (Anyone want a gorgeous jewel-box of an apartment in Cannes??!) There is no limit as to the number of agents with whom I may do this; the singular requirement is that they, too, are certified as specialists in marketing luxury real estate both in their immediate markets, as well as throughout the world.

Any prestige home typically priced over One Million ($1.000.000)) Dollars could qualify for this exposure. It could then be featured in the I.R.E.S. CASTLES & ESTATES magazine.
(www.castlesandestates.com) This digital magazine reaches owners and buyers of primary, secondary and vacation homes world-wide. Its highly selective distribution reaches its intended highly selective group of viewers , as well as receiving the attention of all I.R.E.S members, thus allowing them to market and promote your property to THEIR sphere of clients, thereby giving your property maximum visibility. Attached is a listing of my own home in the most recent edition of the magazine to give you an idea of how this can work for you.

See why I am excited about this??? Hope some of you might be also. Any questions... you know where I am.

Best regards,

Paula
480.221.90.23
paula@paulasolomon.com

Real Estate evolving ...

GREETINGS FROM ME...and hopefully some interesting information.



One of the things I love most about what I do are the changes that sooner or later take place in the world of real estate. What was "in" yesterday is "out" or on the way out today.
According to a new study by the National Association of Home Builders, what is "out" are mega-mansions; what is "in" are smaller homes. The report indicates that by 2015, a new single-family home will be 10 percent smaller, greener and packed with more technology and fewer frivolities. And so....
The living room is dead. As all things almost never used, it will either vanish, merge with a "great room" or in the kitchen, or become a smaller parlor, retreat, library or music room. As I try over and over again (always without success I might add) to explain to my husband that the reason people congregate in the kitchen is 1) it usually smells good; 2) it's comfortable; 3) they can help if they want to; and 4) it's easy. Which they like. Every house with a kitchen and or kitchen/family room will almost NEVER see anyone in the "living room". Interestingly enough, only 5 percent of those polled said the living room would remain as it is.
Other rooms that are disappearing (obviously, unless there is an absolute NEED for it) include third and fourth bedrooms, unheated screened in porches, formal dining rooms, three or particularly three PLUS garages, media rooms, pool rooms (as in shooting), and second master bedroom suites.
And what is really "in"? The frog is right..."and the color is GREEN. How much better for the environment and better health. Low-e windows, engineered wood beams, joists and trusses, environmentally friendly plants that don't require that much water grey water for lawns, solar panels, solar hot water heaters, tankless hot water heaters, multi-pane windows, sunscreens, ceiling fans, HVAC (16 SEER +), re-circulation pumps..... and the list does go on. Kermit was right. "It isn't easy being green", but so very, very important, particularly now not only in terms of YOU... but in terms of BUYERS who are more and more becoming green-conscious.
And on that note....
Until next month.
Best to you all and enjoy the remaining half of June (!!), and the months to follow.
PAULA
www.paulasolomon.com









Paula S. Solomon

Be Careful...

BUYERS BEWARE: Buying a foreclosed home can be VERY tempting…..but: one must keep in mind that the entire foreclosure process is or can be very ADVERSARIAL. Someone is losing their home, someone else is buying it….cheap….and as enticing as it may seem, there are five factors that must be kept in mind:

1. The Loan itself: Assuming not a cash buyer, most lenders will only extend themselves if the home is in reasonably good condition. Someone who is about to lose perhaps their primary investment may very well take something in it that can be used elsewhere….even if they shouldn’t. Thus….carpets can be ripped out, appliances removed, toilets/sinks..gone. Guess what happens next? Nothing. No loan.

2. The Auction Process: This is serious stuff for people who themselves don’t know what they’re doing or who rely on others who are no better informed. THE biggest issue is obtaining a clear title. If a thorough search is not done and the home is purchased on the Courthouse steps….and it THEN turns up that there are liens against the property that no one took the time to investigate….that purchase can be all but worthless, depending upon who holds those liens and their amount. These sales are FINAL. Remember SUB-PRIME mortgages anyone??

3. The Inspection: Suppose you do get the loan and shop for the home via a realtor. Make 1000% sure you retain a CERTIFIED HOME INSPECTOR to check that house out BEFORE making your offer. MOLD is a huge issue, which essentially makes a home uninhabitable. And I can assure you….if one is losing their home and losing it “as is”….they’re not about to be too concerned about disclosing that the ceilings are all but falling down from leaks or that the Roof is in desperate need of replacement. VANDALISM is another. Wires behind walls may have been cut or holes cut into pipes. And yes, appliances and cabinets gone.

4. The Title Insurance: Did you know that a former owner has the right, albeit an unlikely one, to get his home back? And if he does and you have no Title Insurance to defeat his claim, that would be a bit of a mess, especially if you have already expended considerable sums of money to repair that home. So-o-o.. make sure you have a policy with a rider attached to cover you for MORE than you paid for the property.

5. The Waiting Game: Don’t jump at the first chance to buy. Should that original owner come back, this must occur within a time frame. Wait at least several months before trying to purchase a foreclosure. All eyes are still and will be for a fairly long time front and center on the foreclosure market. Have everything that needs to be checked out done via a panel of experts….and then take a deep breath and watch the listings carefully. Don’t forget that yes, the foreclosures are tempting….but like anything else in life…you get what you pay for. Be Careful.



Paula S. Solomon

Life in the Sonoran Desert

Life in the Sonoran Desert holds many pleasures……but many dangers for our pets. The area has many predators…..coyotes, bobcats, owls, hawks….and yes, rattlesnakes. Wild animals are protective of their young and there is no question they will strike out if they feel threatened or provoked. Contrary to popular belief, these attacks are not limited to the nighttime hours and are not limited to small pets. Keeping dogs on a leash at all time when walking…..and not on a loose or extended leash…… or in a fenced or high- walled area when at home can help avoid heartbreak. Never leave a small pet, be it dog or cat, alone on a patio over which so many of these wild animals can jump. Owls and hawks have been seen scooping up small animals, even when on a leash, and cats are ALWAYS safer kept inside.

To the extent possible, keep your pets from digging in the desert, as Valley Fever can be contracted from the spores in the soil. Similarly, don’t allow them to mouth or play with desert toads who secrete a kind of venom that is painful and extremely toxic .

Take your dog to snake-training school. Not much fun to watch, but….these bites can be deadly and at the very least, horribly painful. If your pet is bitten, the best chance for its survival is to take it to a veterinarian as quickly as possible. More often than not, a dog who has been “snake-trained” will not forget the experience of snake school and will remember the scent of the snake….and forget about being curious.

Always check your pet’s paws for cactus needles. Obviously, they are all over the desert floor. If you do take your pet hiking or even walking, always carry a pair of needle-nosed pliers. And on the subject of plants in the desert, ALWAYS check your pet’s ears for Foxtail….the weed that grows everywhere in the Spring, with the “feather-like “ head. Although initially soft and green with a purple-ish top, once it gets into the ears, that “feather-like” head, hardens into needles and oftentimes must be extracted surgically.

And oh so important: Pets need a LOT of WATER and SHADE when it’s hot. Take those walks in the early morning or evening when the temperatures are not as severe and the walking surface will not scorch paws. And NEVER, EVER keep a pet in a closed car as brain damage and/or death can occur quickly.

Home Inspection

When purchasing a home, no matter what…..do NOT pass up a home inspection. And be certain that that inspector and his company are STATE CERTIFIED. A home should be tested for gas leakage and carbon monoxide leakage and the inspector should be utilizing sophisticated gas-company-quality equipment to perform the testing.

Install a CO detector/alarm in the hallway near every separate sleeping area in the home. Be certain that the detector cannot be covered up by furniture or draperies. Note that Carbon Monoxide poisoning symptoms are similar to the flu……headaches, drowsiness, nausea and dizziness.

Blocked c himneys are one of the major causes of carbon monoxide poisoning deaths. Flue pipes or chimneys can have cracks, allowing CO to enter the home, build up and attack whoever is living in it. Homeowners should always have heating, ventilation systems, water heaters and fireplaces cleaned and checked during the colder months. And this should be done entirely irrespective of whether a home is being purchased or not.

Some "Did you knows":

THAT approximately 32 million acres are lost to de-forestation EVERY year? That’s the size of all of Greece! Forest destruction is one of the foremost contributing factors to climate change.
THAT in New York City, 80% of all carbon emissions are generated by buildings….and the same is true for most major cities. And for those who say that “green” doesn’t save money…..The Empire State Building will soon be retrofitted in a more energy-efficient manner, saving the building owners upwards of $4.400.000 annually in energy costs.
THAT Aids is the leading cause of death for people between the ages of 15-59….and that 31 children world-wide die of it every HOUR.
THAT 1 out of every 3 children in the United States is either obese or plainly overweight…and that if Childhood Obesity continues at its current rate….this could be the first generation to live shorter lives than their parents. Heart disease, diabetes and other serious health problems are ALL related to obesity.
THAT the largest gap between rich and poor in the world is…….no, not India, not Africa…..but Latin America!


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BACK to BASICS: COOKING!!
What might seem like a prelude for calling 911 and the fire brigade is a really cool way for slow-cooking ribs and roasts. Just wrap the meat in Saran or similar plastic wrap, then again with foil (THAT is important!!) and slow roast in the oven. The plastic wrap traps in all the moisture and does not melt. It really doesn’t! For ribs, add sauce and finish off on the grill-----THIS time, without the plastic wrap (ahem)….
And if you want to flavor any of this with spices, remember that grinding whole spices/seeds with a mortar and pestle produces superior flavor and aromas. And whole spices keep longer than ground, which, by the way, do NOT have indefinite shelf lives! Ever try making a Chili and using Chili Powder…..New Mexico, Ancho, whatever….that you’ve had for a year or so? And wonder why you need to use almost the whole bottle of the stuff?? And it STILL has almost no taste???

**********************************************************IIt has no smell, is virtually non-detectable….and is deadly. It’s caused by blocked chimneys, poor ventilation systems, cracked pipes, flue pipes…..or gas starters to fireplaces not being properly turned all the way off. Its name is Carbon Dioxide and its poisoning symptoms are similar to the flu….headache, drowsiness, nausea and dizziness.
SO: install a CO detector/alarm in hallways near every separate sleeping area in the home and be certain that the detector cannot be covered up by furniture or draperies. As I’m sitting here with a headache, I’m wondering about all of this……

Paula S. Solomon

The Villa Retreat at the Boulders

The Villa Retreat. The Boulders. Where the STARS come to see the stars! Experience this extraordinary 5700 sf 6 bedroom 6.5 bath two-home Contemporary knock-out…and you will understand why Hollywood and Sports’ World celebrities alike wind-down in the hidden privacy of this residence which is like no other. Nor can there be, as its owner, a highly renowned interior designer, created it for himself, sparing neither expense nor thought in making it into something that is indeed an environment of extraordinary beauty and the epitome of exquisite taste. Due to its unique configuration, it would be the consummate corporate retreat, if not otherwise enjoyed as a family compound or…as an investment by one or more investors….when placed in the rental program of The Boulders Resort, garnering upwards of $8000 a night for those very few who can afford to bask in ultimate luxury.
$3.575.000
http://TheVillaRetreatatTheBoulders.com

The Show must go on

Political theater and public scolding are good ways to draw attention to important issues and bad behavior, and Phil Angelides, chairman of the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission, made use of both last week. As he swore in four of the nation’s top bankers, it was impossible not to think of that famous scene with executives from the tobacco industry. During the questioning, he rebuked Lloyd Blankfein, head of Goldman Sachs, for his firm’s practice of selling mortgage-related securities and at the same time betting they would fall in value.
Now that he has everyone’s attention, Mr. Angelides and his fellow commissioners can get to the hard part.
Inconclusive sparring at hearings will not fulfill the mandate Congress gave the panel to investigate the causes of the crisis. Indeed, the bankers who testified last week did not say much they had not said before.
The commission must uncover what bankers, investors, government officials and other people in positions of power, past and present, would prefer not to say — or perhaps do not know or understand — about the crash and the bailouts. The primary aim is not to air issues and foster debate, but to test views, resolve contradictions and arrive at evidence-based conclusions.
Yet the commission — which is supposed to file a final report by Dec. 15 — has not issued a single subpoena for documents. Instead, investigators have apparently been relying on voluntary cooperation, public records and information-sharing agreements that have been negotiated with federal agencies. A thorough investigation requires source documents that reveal what people were thinking and doing at the time of the events and that illuminate, buttress or contradict testimony.
Take, for example, Mr. Blankfein’s explanation that the clients Goldman bet against were sophisticated investors who demanded the doomed securities that Goldman sold them. Apart from the fact that the notion of “sophisticated investors” has been discredited by the crisis, does that explanation go far enough?
Without peering into the internal workings of Goldman and other financial firms that engaged in similar practices, it is hard to know how far bankers went in creating demand rather than responding to it, or if the securities were purposely designed to perform poorly.
The answers could cast light on when Wall Street practices cross the line from prudent hedging to excessive speculation.
A crucial related issue is whether Wall Street’s role as the underwriter of securities, which implies a level of approval of the investments being offered for sale, misled investors into buying questionable securities, and thus contributed to the credit bubble. If so, that would make the argument for barring too-big-to-fail banks from operating hedge funds all the more compelling.
Given the stakes, the chances seem remote that Wall Street will voluntarily hand over the papers that could get to the bottom of it all.
The inquiry is getting under way at a critical moment. The House has passed a financial regulatory reform bill that was enfeebled in important respects by bank lobbyists. The Senate banking committee recently rejected a generally robust proposal by Senator Christopher Dodd. It has yet to produce an alternative, but it is likely that lobbying and partisan politics will generate a weak bill. President Obama’s call for a new tax on big banks is a good idea, but must not pre-empt other needed changes, including a tax on bankers’ bonuses and more direct regulation to limit the size of financial firms.

Homebuyer's Tax Credit

Just in case any of you out there didn’t know it…..there are PLENTY of homes available at VERY affordable prices……AND……interest rates remain historically low. So-o-o-??? Is this not the time to buy?? AND….to sweeten the pot, there’s the tax credit, up to $8000 for qualified first-time buyers whose income is within IRS-established limits…..AND….up to $6500 for some already existing homeowners. AND….this is money that never has to be repaid, provided one lives in that home for three years. One is considered a “first time home buyer” if neither the husband nor the wife has owned a principal residence in the U.S. within the last three years. Existing homeowners are eligible for up to that $6500 if they have lived in their residence for five of the last eight years. Isn’t this something REALLY worth looking into? There may NEVER be a better time to buy a home. I’m certainly not qualified to give you tax advice…..your tax attorney or accountant is the person to see. BUT: when a buyers’ market is as strong as it presently is, and these opportunities are at hand…….You get the picture…l!
Paula Solomon

Did you know? That 62% of all state governments have adopted GREEN building policies? That Residential GREEN building is expected to increase 100% over the next five years? That 70% of homebuyers said they were more inclined to buy a GREEN home in a down economy than a non-green home? That consumers are demanding it and government is requiring it? (source: Green Outlook 2009: Trends Driving Change)
And WHY? Well, for one thing, GREEN homes’ use of toxic-free building materials and natural ventilation to filter and bring fresh air in and vent stale air out helps combat indoor air pollution, oftentimes worse than outdoor pollution. Healthier home environment means healthier people living in it. Unless you enjoy visiting your doctor, this isn’t such a bad idea.

Interested in saving money? GREEN. Find that builder familiar with green-building techniques. The US Green Building Council has demonstrated that the net cost of owning a GREEN home is comparable to----or even cheaper than---owning a standard home. It has found that a GREEN home is often more durable due to its high-quality materials and construction processes, thus requiring fewer repairs. Materials such as bamboo, hemp, agrifibers and soybean-based products. (??? yes!) GREEN homes, the Council advises, use 40% less energy than comparable standard homes. Energy generated by the sun, wind, geothermal energy can reduce dependence upon conventional energy sources. How nice would that be??

Yes, as Kermit the Frog has said, “it isn’t easy being “green”…but there are so many very real benefits to living GREEN. Don’t you think? And besides….we MUST save the earth…..it’s the only planet with CHOCOLATE!

The Story

1989. My husband and I were litigation attorneys practicing in New York and had been invited to lecture before the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers in Phoenix. I had had my own firm in Garden City, NY and my husband was a then partner of Phillips Nizer, in Manhattan. For several years prior, I had been in charge of planning the annual Continuing Legal Education seminars for the NewYork chapter of the AAML and had tried, unsuccessfully, to make reservations at The Boulders in Carefree, it being one of the premier boutique resorts and golf communities as cited by Andrew Harper’s “Hideaway Report”. But our group was not of a “Hideaway” size and it simply could not be accommodated. We, however, could be. And so, lectures concluded, we journeyed up to Carefree, climbed the mysterious and inexplicably beautiful boulder pile just as the sun was about to set, gazed out onto what was then endless desert and mountain vistas……and fell hopelessly in love. Neither of us ever thought we would leave New York, but we knew this is where we would live. It was a dream that neither of us had ever considered before, but a dream we then knew would have to be realized.Continue...