Video of the Week: Majestic Waiea Grand Penthouse in Kakaako, Honolulu, Hawaii

 
 
$35,000,000 USD | Honolulu, Hawaii | List Sotheby’s International Realty 

 
Waiea is a masterpiece created by the world renowned architect, James K. M. Cheng in collaboration with one of America’s iconic interior designers, Tony Ingrao. In his words, James Cheng calls the penthouse “a villa in the sky.” Designed with the connoisseur of life in mind, no detail has been overlooked. This six-bedroom, six-and-one-half-bathroom residence sprawls over 8,532 square-feet and features a spectacular, over 2,000-square-foot rooftop lanai and a private, ocean-facing infinity pool. 

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New & Notable Luxury Properties for Sale

From a vast historic island estate in New York to a modern masterpiece in Dubai, this month’s collection of exceptional properties for sale feature homes from some of the world’s finest locales. 

$125,000,000 USD | Glen Cove, New York | Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty 

Salutation is an exquisite 46-plus-acre island on the North Shore of Long Island. The land was granted by King George I and purchased by Peter Caverly in 1721 for two hundred pounds. More than 10 adjacent acres were granted with “underwater” rights, valuable for fishing, clamming and boating. The tranquil 28-plus-acre pond, which flows into the Long Island Sound, is home to oyster beds and many varieties of wildlife. The fortified 700-foot sea wall, a 250-foot dock that accommodates yachts and seaplanes, and a helicopter landing spot complete this phenomenal property. 

36 200 000 $ CAD | North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | Canada Sotheby’s International Realty 

In total, this property comprises three separate titles, over 14 acres, a 9,000-square-foot custom-built West Coast home, another self-contained Guest House, working 12-stall paddock/barn, and Greenhouse. The main residence melds indigenous materials of stone, fir, and glass, spilling onto the maturely planted grounds of both native and specimen plantings, with natural and man-made water features. The homes are mechanically superior and the seamless marriage of West Coast architecture and Japanese influence create the perfect backdrop for this one and only retreat. Never before offered as one, the possibilities are endless and with RS3 zoning the future potential, this really could be the last of its kind and is truly a Lower Mainland trophy. 

$16,000,000 SGD | Singapore | List Sotheby’s International Realty 

This minimalistic bungalow-style home in Treasure Island’s Sentosa Cove features captivating, modern amenities such as a floating staircase, infinity edge pool with indoor access, open floorplan, and incredible views. The home also features a rooftop terrace, partially covered and ideal for entertaining. 

$58,500,000 USD | Snowmass, Colorado | Aspen Snowmass Sotheby’s International Realty 

Taking its name from surrounding Snowmass Mountain, Capitol Peak, Mount Daly and Mount Sopris, Four Peaks Ranch is the consummate mountain sanctuary. Once inside the gate, a world of unique splendor and beauty awaits. An outdoor paradise spreads out amongst the 876 pristine and unspoiled acres with 15 miles of alluring private trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, four-wheeling, snowmobiling, paintball, and cross-country skiing. Moreover, a stocked pond and private beach with cabana, abundant wildlife for an exceptional private hunting experience, a chipping and putting green, and even a private labyrinth make these outdoor activities unrivaled for a personal residence of this stature. 

129,000,000 د.إ AED | Dubai, United Arab Emirates | Gulf Sotheby’s International Realty 

With an expansive 26,000-square-foot built-up area, this Emirates Hills villa exhibits the finest in architectural design and materials used to create a serene family home. From the moment you enter this full golf course-facing home, you feel a sense of tranquility. The oversized picture windows that are inserted into the structure, allows every room to enjoy fabulous views. 

Original source on RSIR

FORBES CROWNS SEATTLE THE SECOND COOLEST CITY IN THE NATION

Following a recent report by Forbes and Bert Sperling which ranked the “coolness” of the 100 largest metro cities in the country, Seattle Magazine says that having taken the second spot, “you might even say we’re the municipal equivalent of Beyoncé, expensive denim jackets and cigarettes in the ‘70s.” As the article outlines, after looking at a number of factors including “entertainment and recreation options, the food and drink scene, transit choices, population growth and where young people are living,” Forbes crowned the Emerald City the second coolest city in the nation, behind only San Francisco. 

Among the factors helping Seattle’s cool factor are “recreation and the jointly weighted coffee shops and breweries.” And as Sperling observes, “a city’s desirability (or coolness, if you will) drives the housing demand up.” “It would be an anomaly if you found a place that was really really cool but was really really cheap,” he says. 

To be sure, Seattle’s housing market is on fire, as the latest CoreLogic Case Shiller index reveals that over the past 12 months, home prices in Seattle have increased 13.2 percent, far outpacing those in major U.S. cities across the country. Recent analysis by William Hillis, Research Editor with Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty, reveals that despite the run-up in Seattle home prices, the city is still more affordable relative to local incomes than any of its peer metro markets. Real estate analyst Mark Hanson observed that in Seattle, the difference between household income and income needed to buy a median-priced house is about 18 percent, where a city such as San Francisco is currently at 52 percent. 

Original source on RSIR

US & Chinese Real Estate Organizations Agree to Form Permanent Select Committee

Ashley Breunich from Realogics Sotheby's International Realty reports that, "At the conclusion of a five-day Trade Mission to China, the International Real Estate Federation – U.S. Chapter (FIABCI-USA) and the China Institute of Real Estate Appraisers & Agents (CIREA) agreed to form a Permanent Select Committee on doing business between the United States and China. A group of nine real estate professionals from across the US completed a Trade Mission to China on July 6, 2014. The mission included attending CIREA’s annual real estate agents conference, visits to some of the largest real estate brokerages in Beijing and attending an elective course for FIABCI’s International Real Estate Consultant (FIREC) designation.

Capital flows from China to the US continue to grow. The FIABCI-USA delegation was headed by President Edward Alford from South Hadley, MA. “I am extremely honored to have led this group of high-caliber real estate professionals to Beijing and was overwhelmed by the gracious hospitality of our CIREA hosts. I felt it necessary to assure our hosts that we were interested in mutual cooperation over the long term and welcomed the opportunity to formalize our intent through the formation of a select committee.” The residential market in China is currently undergoing a 30% contraction in sales and there is great concern about how this will affect the overall economy.

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Image Courtesy of RSIR

In addition to President Alford, the FIABCI-USA delegation included President Elect Ruth Kruger from Aspen, CO; Treasurer Maire Rosol from Park City, UT; Vice-PresidentElizabeth Davidson from Kirkland, WA; Nancy & Peter Suvarnamani from Chicago; Dano Sayles from Hawaii, John Krolick from Incline Village, NV; and Secretary General Bill Endsley from Chicago. The delegation enjoyed sightseeing trips around Beijing and numerous sumptuous Chinese meals with potential new partners and the staff of Beijing Orient US-China Consulting Co., Ltd. which facilitated the Trade Mission.

FIABCI has welcomed over 150 real estate professionals from China as members over the last year and expects to grow significantly as additional groups of Chinese professionals complete FIREC training courses in doing business abroad, ethics, negotiation, financing and valuation. FIABCI provides access and opportunity for real estate professionals in more than 60 countries interested in completing cross border transactions.

The International Real Estate Federation – US Chapter (FIABCI-USA) is a multi-discipline, networking organization for all professionals associated with real estate transactions. The group provides information, connections and concierge services to help individuals, companies and associations expand their global networks. With members in more than 50 countries and World, Regional and National Congresses throughout the year, FIABCI is global, local and connected and can provide access to the highest caliber real estate professional anywhere in the world. FIABCI also enjoys Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.

For more information about FIABCI-USA, click here."