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Friday, December 30, 2011

Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills.

Wishing you a Happy New Year Filled with Health - Prosperity & Happiness!

Happy New Year!

Some might say that a new calendar year is nothing to celebrate. We commemorate no victories, no fallen heroes, or historic events. We simply celebrate the coming and going of another year—an event as unremarkable as it is inevitable. And yet, there is something in us that yearns to have clear dividing lines in our lives, clear milestones within our individual and collective journeys. Since the beginning of recorded time, the beginning of a new year has offered a milestone on which to gaze back at the year before and reflect on what is truly important. Perhaps more importantly, it has always signaled a chance for a new beginning, a chance to make right what went wrong, and a chance to cherish what went right. 

 

As I reflect on what went right in 2011 and what I wish to cherish in 2012, the relationships in my life come immediately to mind. If you are reading this right now, it’s because you are, at least in some small way, and perhaps in very big and meaningful ways, a part of my life. As we celebrate the new year, I would like to thank you for your business, your friendship, and your love. Best wishes for a year full of love and laughter. Happy New Year!

Wishing you a Happy New Year Filled with Health - Prosperity & Happiness!
Los Angeles, Platinum Triangle, Beverly Hills, Real Estate, 90210, Bel Air, Holmby Hills, Sunset Strip, Hollywood Hills, Luxury Estates, Mansions, Celebrity Homes, Homes For Sale, Listings, Realtor, Real Estate For sale, Luxury Homes, Los Angeles Realtor, Bel Air Real Estate, Christophe Choo, http://www.ChristopheChoo.com, beverly Hills real estate agent, Beverly Hills Realtor

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Consumer confidence shoots higher again.

consumer confidence

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Consumer confidence shot higher for the second month in a row in December, according to a survey from The Conference Board.

The research firm's overall confidence index, released Tuesday, jumped 9.3 points to 64.5. The increase follows a 14.3-point rise in November.

"After two months of considerable gains, the index is now back to levels seen last spring," said Lynn Franco, director of the group's research center. "Consumers are more optimistic that business conditions, employment prospects and their financial situations will continue to get better."

Still, Franco cautioned that it's too soon to tell if the year-end optimism is simply a rebound from declines earlier this year or a sustainable shift in attitudes.

The jump of almost 24 points since October is the biggest two-month increase since March 1991, when consumer confidence got a shot in the arm from the quick U.S. victory in the first Gulf War. But the recent increases follow sharp declines that occurred from July through October as both economists and the general public became worried that the U.S. was at risk of falling into a new recession.

"When we get to our low point in October, that was probably overdoing it," said Tim Quinlan, economist with Wells Fargo Securities, who said that reading was below the levels of the 2001 and 1990 recessions. "I don't think things were that bad then. I don't know that things are that great now, but it does signal that consumers were feeling better going into the holidays, which is a key time for retailers."

Helping to lift confidence is the fact that since mid October stocks have rallied, gas prices have fallen and the labor market improved with both better hiring and a decrease in the number of layoffs.

While the survey found that only 6.7% of consumers believe jobs are now plentiful, that's nearly double the 3.6% who felt that way in October. Those who believe the job picture will be better six months from now rose to 13.3% from 10.8%.

Most importantly for consumer spending, those who expect their own income to increase in the next six months rose to 17.1%, outpacing the 14.4% who expect their income to fall. This is the first time since April that the percentage of people who expect their income to improve topped those who expect it to drop.  To top of page

First Published: December 27, 2011: 10:14 AM ET

Consumer confidence shoots higher again.
Los Angeles, Platinum Triangle, Beverly Hills, Real Estate, 90210, Bel Air, Holmby Hills, Sunset Strip, Hollywood Hills, Luxury Estates, Mansions, Celebrity Homes, Homes For Sale, Listings, Realtor, Real Estate For sale, Luxury Homes, Los Angeles Realtor, Bel Air Real Estate, Christophe Choo, http://www.ChristopheChoo.com, beverly Hills real estate agent, Beverly Hills Realtor

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Thursday, December 29, 2011

Pending Sales of U.S. Existing Homes Rose 7.3% in November - Businessweek - The highest rise in 18 months.

Bloomberg

Pending Sales of U.S. Existing Homes Rose 7.3% in November

December 29, 2011, 11:33 AM EST

By Timothy R. Homan

Dec. 29 (Bloomberg) -- The number of Americans signing contracts to buy previously owned homes rose more than forecast in November as falling prices and low borrowing costs boosted demand.

The index of pending home sales increased 7.3 percent to the highest level since April 2010 after climbing 10.4 percent the prior month, figures from the National Association of Realtors showed today in Washington. Economists forecast a 1.5 percent gain, according to the median estimate in a Bloomberg News survey.

The industry that triggered the 18-month recession that ended in June 2009 is showing signs of stabilizing as construction picks up, builder confidence improves and the number of houses on the market declines. Nonetheless, another wave of foreclosures may weigh on real-estate values next year.

“It looks like buyers are becoming more confident and are attracted to record-low mortgage rates,” Aaron Smith, a senior economist at Moody’s Analytics Inc. in West Chester, Pennsylvania, said before the report. At the same time, he said, “activity still looks depressed by historical standards.”

Estimates for pending home sales ranged from a drop of 3 percent to an increase of 11 percent, according to the median of 30 forecasts in the Bloomberg survey.

Pending home sales were up 6.9 percent from November 2010.

All four regions showed an increase in contract signings from a month earlier, led by a 14.9 percent surge in the West and an 8.1 percent jump in the Northeast. Pending sales climbed 4.3 percent in the South and 3.3 percent in the Midwest.

Housing Affordability

“Housing affordability conditions are at a record high and there is a pent-up demand from buyers who’ve been on the sidelines, but contract failures have been running unusually high,” NAR chief economist Lawrence Yun said in a statement accompanying the release. “Some of the increase in pending sales appears to be from buyers recommitting after an initial contract ran into problems, often with the mortgage.”

Today’s report showed an index level for pending home sales of 100.1 on a seasonally adjusted basis. A reading of 100 is consistent with the average level of contract activity in 2001 and coincides with “historically healthy” home-buying traffic, according to the NAR.

Because they track contract signings, pending home sales are considered a leading indicator. Existing-home sales are tabulated when a contract closes, typically a month or two later.

Home Sales

Reports last week showed a pickup in demand for houses. Sales of previously owned homes, which make up about 94 percent of the market, rose 4 percent to a 4.42 million annual pace, the most since January, the National Association of Realtors said Dec. 21.

Purchases of new single-family properties advanced 1.6 percent to a 315,000 annual pace, a seven-month high, figures from the Commerce Department showed Dec. 23. The increase pushed the number of new homes on the market to a record low.

“As the stabilization process moves forward, we are seeing inventory levels continuing to ease in many of our markets, which is a prerequisite for a housing recovery,” Jeffrey Mezger, chief executive officer of Los Angeles-based KB Home, said in a Dec. 21 conference call with analysts.

Even with the increase in sales, residential real estate prices continue to fall, showing a broad-based decline that indicates the market continues to be weighed down by foreclosures.

Home Values

The S&P/Case-Shiller index of property values in 20 cities dropped 3.4 percent from October 2010 after decreasing 3.5 percent in the year ended September, the New York-based group said this week. The median forecast of economists in a Bloomberg survey projected a 3.2 percent decrease.

The threat of continued declines could keep potential buyers waiting until they believe the market has bottomed, even as cheaper properties may make purchasing a home more affordable.

U.S. policy makers have initiated programs designed to revive the housing market. The Obama administration this month started a new version of the federal Home Affordable Refinance Program, or HARP, after the original plan helped less than a quarter of the people targeted to lock in lower mortgage rates.

At the Federal Reserve, officials this month reiterated that they will keep their benchmark interest rate near zero until at least mid-2013. The central bank in September decided to reinvest maturing housing debt into new mortgage-backed securities instead of Treasuries.

Pending Sales of U.S. Existing Homes Rose 7.3% in November - Businessweek - The highest rise in 18 months.
Los Angeles, Platinum Triangle, Beverly Hills, Real Estate, 90210, Bel Air, Holmby Hills, Sunset Strip, Hollywood Hills, Luxury Estates, Mansions, Celebrity Homes, Homes For Sale, Listings, Realtor, Real Estate For sale, Luxury Homes, Los Angeles Realtor, Bel Air Real Estate, Christophe Choo, http://www.ChristopheChoo.com, beverly Hills real estate agent, Beverly Hills Realtor

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LA's Best Places for a Champagne Toast. Come to Beverly Hills for New Years Eve!


Rosé on La Cienega boasts a French Riviera vibe

 
  Champagne is about more than special occasions

The Belvedere at The Peninsula Beverly Hills
We can’t resist this Beverly Hills fine-dining institution’s Perrier-Jouët Champagne brunch on Sundays, complete with off-white tablecloths, brilliant floral arrangements, and a dining room peppered with movie moguls. 9882 S. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310-975-2736; peninsula.com

Chateau Marmont
There’s nothing like hitting this iconic Sunset Strip hot spot around dusk and popping the cork on a bottle of Veuve Clicquot with the whole glittering city spread at your feet. French royalty never had it as good as the Hollywood A-listers sipping bubbly here. 8221 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, 323-656-1010; chateaumarmont.com

The Hungry Cat
Is there a more perfect wine-food pairing than a fizzy glass of fine Champagne with a plate of fresh, briny oysters on the half-shell? Go coastal to order a dozen of the delicious bivalves with a bottle of 1996 Henriot Brut Champagne at this newest edition of the upscale seafood mini-chain. 100 W. Channel Road, Santa Monica, 310-459-3337; thehungrycat.com

The Little Door
A romantic evening at this West 3rd Street classic should always start with a bottle from the restaurant’s impressive list of Champagnes. Our suggestions include the delicate and palate-priming Taittinger Brut Réserve and the rich, medium-bodied Nicolas Feuillatte 1995 Palmes d’Or Brut, perfect for sipping throughout the night. 8164 W. 3rd St., LA, 323-951-1210; thelittledoor.com

Mélisse
Chef Josiah Citrin’s two-Michelinstar dining destination boasts an all-star list of Champagnes featuring bottles from some of the biggest names in French wine, including Ruinart, Charles Heidsieck, and Roederer Estate—not to mention Pol Roger’s famous Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill that will whet your appetite for a memorable meal. 1104 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, 310-395-0881; melisse.com

Patina
The 50-page wine list at this Downtown fine-dining venue contains some Champagne gems, including a complex, golden Louis de Sacy Brut Grand Cru and Pommery’s fresh yet multilayered 1998 Cuvée Louise that’s perfect for quaffing right now. 141 S. Grand Ave., LA, 213-972- 3331; patinarestaurant.com

Rosé
Gorgeous starlets, French cuisine, globetrotting DJs—no this isn’t a description of a St-Tropez yacht party, it’s La Cienega’s newest boîte, Rosé. A night at the French Riviera-esque restaurant is the perfect reason to toast la belle France with a huge, thirst-quenching 20-ounce glass of Champagne (or wine) over ice (called Les Piscines de Pampelone). Just don’t break into “La Marseillaise.” 861 N. La Cienega Blvd., LA, 310-289-1294; roserestaurants.com

Son of a Gun
Sparkling wines—Champagne in particular—rule director of operations and beverage director Helen Johannesen’s wine list at the follow-up restaurant to Animal. We order the fresh and fruity Veuve Fourny & Fils Grande Réserve Brut Vertus Premier Cru when we’re feeling frivolous, and the sublime 1990 Moët et Chandon Cuvée Dom Pérignon when celebrating something special. 8370 W. 3rd St., LA, 323-782-9033; sonofagunrestaurant.com

Spago
The wine list at Wolfgang Puck’s legendary Beverly Hills restaurant is more than 100 pages long, so focus your attention on the Champagne section, where you’ll find the city’s most impressive vertical collection of vintage Krug Champagnes. 176 N. Canon Dr., Beverly Hills, 310-385-0880; wolfgangpuck.com

LA's Best Places for a Champagne Toast. Come to Beverly Hills for New Years Eve!
Los Angeles, Platinum Triangle, Beverly Hills, Real Estate, 90210, Bel Air, Holmby Hills, Sunset Strip, Hollywood Hills, Luxury Estates, Mansions, Celebrity Homes, Homes For Sale, Listings, Realtor, Real Estate For sale, Luxury Homes, Los Angeles Realtor, Bel Air Real Estate, Christophe Choo, http://www.ChristopheChoo.com, beverly Hills real estate agent, Beverly Hills Realtor

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California sunrise. Good morning.

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Sorting through the dog clothes.

It has been another gorgeous day in Beverly Hills, have a lovely evening!


Taken at Christophe Choo Real Estate Group - Coldwell Banker Previews Beverly Hills

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5 Places to Dine in L.A. This New Year’s Eve.

5 Places to Dine in L.A. This New Year’s Eve

Power Lunch
Courtesy of WP24
Wolfgang Puck's WP24

Ring in 2012 with one of THR's picks for a multi-course feast.

Yes, it’s true: Aside from Valentine’s Day, there may be no worse night to dine out in this town than New Year’s Eve. Restaurants are inevitably glutted, menus are invariably prix fixe and management is undoubtedly hoping that the gratis glass of bubbly will help you forget the overworked kitchen’s many mistakes.

Nevertheless, it’s time to welcome in 2012 with a handful of polished exceptions that are sure to disprove the rule. So The Hollywood Reporter is dishing out its top five picks for NYE fine-dining this Saturday night.

1. Lucques
Suzanne Goin’s menu is inspired by the famed Harry’s Bar in Venice, Italy. For $150, guests can expect a five-courser of antipasto, a warm scallop and squid salad with chanterelles, taglioni with lobster amoricaine, herb-roasted rack of lamb with radicchio risotto—and, for dessert, the signature Harry’s torta di zabaglione. 8474 Melrose Ave., L.A., 323.655.6277

2. Red Medicine
There’s a six-course seating starting at 6PM. But the real reason for coming to this neo-Vietnamese vortex is the epic nine-courser available beginning with the 9 o’clock reservation block (at $90 per person). Jordan Kahn doles out everything from heirloom rice porridge with Santa Barbara red uni and ginseng to amberjack with lotus root and tapioca. 8400 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, 323.651.5500

3. Picca
Richard Zarate’s talked-about Peruvian room Picca will have a palm reader and live band on hand. $105 per person (not including an optional $25 wine pairing) provides access to the multi-course tasting feast, which runs from shrimp chowder and sea bass escabeche to octopus tiradito and beef stew. Oh, and Pisco shooters too. 9575 W. Pico Blvd., L.A., 310.277.0133

4. Rivera
Seven courses, $125 per person, beginning at 8PM: John Sedlar takes patrons on one of his prototypical south-of-the-border culinary journeys, embarking from a serving of house-made potato chips with lobster salsa and proceeding through scallops with maize. The dessert is a modernized take on a classic French bûche de noelfeaturing passion fruit sponge cake. 1050 S. Flower St., L.A., 213.749.1460

5. WP24
OK, so Chinese New Year is actually Jan. 23. But Wolfgang Puck’s ode-to-the-Orient dining mecca is offering a $250 five-course “”Good Fortune” menu that’s worth the head-start. The hot and sour soup boasts sweet prawn wontons. The dim sum includes pork belly dumplings. The roasted Peking-style duckling comes with all of the traditional garnishes. Then, there’s pastry chef Cassie Ballard’s to-be-announced dessert. 900 W. Olympic Blvd., L.A., 213.743.8824

5 Places to Dine in L.A. This New Year’s Eve. My personal choice would be the Sunset Tower Bar Restaurant on Sunset, in the old days it was always L'Orangerie. We were there the last New Years Eve closing night a few years ago and it was so sad to say goodbye.

Los Angeles, Platinum Triangle, Beverly Hills, Real Estate, 90210, Bel Air, Holmby Hills, Sunset Strip, Hollywood Hills, Luxury Estates, Mansions, Celebrity Homes, Homes For Sale, Listings, Realtor, Real Estate For sale, Luxury Homes, Los Angeles Realtor, Bel Air Real Estate, Christophe Choo, http://www.ChristopheChoo.com, beverly Hills real estate agent, Beverly Hills Realtor

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Ellen DeGeneres buys Brad Pitt's Malibu home .

Ellen DeGeneres buys Brad Pitt's Malibu home

By
Ilyce Glink

 (Zillow)

(MoneyWatch) 

Home prices have dropped tremendously for most Main Street Americans since the collapse of the housing market in 2008. Foreclosures have skyrocketed and short sales are more prevalent, bringing home prices down overall and contributing to an oversaturated market. It's not unheard of for a home to sit on the market more than a year before finally selling for well below asking price. 

Even so, the luxury real estate market is still booming in many parts of the nation.

Celebrity real estate is one sector of the luxury market that continues to flourish, with Hollywood royalty scooping up mansions that still cost millions. The latest power couple to jump back into the market is Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi, who recently put their Beverly Hills home - which was featured in Architectural Digest - on the market for $49 million. Back in June, the entire compound was rumored to be listed at $55 million.

Rihanna's Beverly Hills home on the market
Twilight stars' Bel Air mansion up for sale
Oprah's Chicago apartment for rent

Instead of waiting for the Beverly Hills home to sell, the couple is diving head first back into the market by becoming buyers once again. According to Zillow's real estate blog, DeGeneres and de Rossi recently purchased Brad Pitt's 4,000 square foot former home in Malibu. People Magazine reports the couple spent roughly $12 million on the new digs, which Pitt bought for $8.4 million after his divorce from Jennifer Aniston.

Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi's new kitchen in Brad Pitt's former home in Malibu (Credit: Zillow)

The mid-century modern home features four bedrooms, four bathrooms and dark bamboo floors throughout. It's the ideal place for the couple and their pets - it's situated on 1.26 acres and offers access to a sandy beach cove for nice walks with the dogs. 

Pitt spent months renovating the home when he first purchased it, and his attention to detail is evident in the finishes. The kitchen is stainless steel and features a walk in refrigerator and freezer, as well as other top-of-the-line appliances. Walls of glass showcase the spectacular shoreline views.

The listing touts approval for a second story designed by renowned architect Chris Sorensen, but we'll have to wait and see if DeGeneres and de Rossi choose to add more rooms. If Ellen and Portia's L.A. home is any indication, they may be planning to add a lot more space to this 4,000 square foot bluff-top palace.

Ellen DeGeneres buys Brad Pitt's Malibu home .
Los Angeles, Platinum Triangle, Beverly Hills, Real Estate, 90210, Bel Air, Holmby Hills, Sunset Strip, Hollywood Hills, Luxury Estates, Mansions, Celebrity Homes, Homes For Sale, Listings, Realtor, Real Estate For sale, Luxury Homes, Los Angeles Realtor, Bel Air Real Estate, Christophe Choo, http://www.ChristopheChoo.com, beverly Hills real estate agent, Beverly Hills Realtor

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Monday, December 26, 2011

Malibu view

My view right now in Malibu, California.

My view right now in Malibu, California.

Photo1

Los Angeles, Platinum Triangle, Beverly Hills, Bel Air Homes, Hollywood Hills, Sunset Strip, celebrity mansions, luxury real estate, luxury estates, homes for sale, Los Angeles Realtor, Real Estate, Christophe Choo, http://www.ChristopheChoo.com, Beverly Hills Realtor, Beverly Hills real eatate agent

Christophe Choo
Coldwell Banker
Previews International
1(310)777-6342
www.ChristopheChoo.com

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Saturday, December 24, 2011

Santa spotted in Beverly Hills.

I heard that Santa just left his workshop at the North Pole and is on his way.


Taken at THE NORTH POLE.

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I heard that Santa just left his workshop in the North Pole.

I heard that Santa just left his workshop at the North Pole and is on his way.

Photo1

Christophe Choo
Coldwell Banker
Previews International
1(310)777-6342
www.ChristopheChoo.com

Posted on: Beverly Hills Real Estate-Beverly Hills Homes For Sale

Christmas tree at the Peninsula hotel in Beverly Hills.

Christmas tree at the Peninsula hotel in Beverly Hills.

Photo1

Los Angeles, Platinum Triangle, Beverly Hills, Bel Air Homes, Hollywood Hills, Sunset Strip, celebrity mansions, luxury real estate, luxury estates, homes for sale, Los Angeles Realtor, Real Estate, Christophe Choo, http://www.ChristopheChoo.com, Beverly Hills Realtor, Beverly Hills real eatate agent

Christophe Choo
Coldwell Banker
Previews International
1(310)777-6342
www.ChristopheChoo.com

Posted on: Beverly Hills Real Estate-Beverly Hills Homes For Sale

Christmas Eve day in Los Angeles.

Christmas Eve day in Los Angeles.

Photo1

Los Angeles, Platinum Triangle, Beverly Hills, Bel Air Homes, Hollywood Hills, Sunset Strip, celebrity mansions, luxury real estate, luxury estates, homes for sale, Los Angeles Realtor, Real Estate, Christophe Choo, http://www.ChristopheChoo.com, Beverly Hills Realtor, Beverly Hills real eatate agent

Christophe Choo
Coldwell Banker
Previews International
1(310)777-6342
www.ChristopheChoo.com

Posted on: Beverly Hills Real Estate-Beverly Hills Homes For Sale

Monster Billionaire Mansions.

Facebook billionaire Mark Zuckerberg, 26, may have recently shelled out $7 million for a Palo Alto home, but when it comes to billionaire real estate, that purchase is downright thrifty.  Many of the world’s richest people spare no expense when it comes to home sweet home, throwing down tens and hundreds of millions of dollars on mega mansions designed to suit every possible fancy.

In Pictures: Monster Billionaire Mansions

Take industrial billionaire Ira Rennert’s 43,031 square-foot Fair Field estate in Sagaponack, New York. Valued at $200 million according to tax assessments, the sprawling 29 bedroom, 39 bath manse is one of America’s largest single-family homes — and arguably the most expensive.  Amenities include not one but three dining rooms, three swimming pools sitting side by side, two courtyards, an orangery, a 164-seat screening theater and a pavilion housing a basketball court, a gym, and a 2-lane bowling alley.  There’s even an on-premise power plant to keep everything running.  In April, rumors that Rennert was building a private museum to showcase his massive art collection surfaced when the town of Sagaponack issued a stop-work order on new construction that had been started without the proper permits.

On the opposite coast, Russian venture capital billionaire Yuri Milner recently forked over $100 million for a 25,000-square foot, French chateau-inspired mansion in Silicon Valley.  The Palo Alto estate touts indoor and outdoor pools, tennis courts, a ballroom and a wine cellar. If Rennert’s Fair Field estate could be the most expensive home in the country, Milner’s is its direct competition for that title. The Facebook and Groupon investor, who calls Moscow, Russia home, bought the place as a secondary property.

Many billionaire homeowners don’t move into their new digs right away.  Once they’ve closed, which usually occurs through a third party LLC to keep the sale as private as possible, it’s time to retrofit the property for their lavish lifestyles, remodeling or in some cases, tearing down and rebuilding a brand new mansion altogether.  This is a common occurrence in the ritzy Long Island, New York zip codes that make up the Hamptons, where billionaire investor Ron Baron dropped $103 million on 40 acres of beachfront land sans a house.  In the most recent and extreme example, hedge fund billionaire David Tepper just knocked down the$43.5 million Sagaponack home he bought last year; he reportedly plans to build a house that’s twice as large on the empty site.

“A lot of people will buy a $30 million ocean front mansion, tear it down, and start all over again,” explains Alan Fiocchi, founder of AlchemyRED, a company that project manages the ground-up construction or intensive remodeling of multi-million dollar estates around the world.  Fiocchi, who works on properties averaging $25 million with a typical renovation budget of $10 million, acts as Owner’s Representation for many billionaire clients, including many of Wall Street’s high profile finance gurus, one non-American Head of State and members of royal families.

Billionaires like their privacy.  Fiocchi, who must sign non-disclosure agreements to take on a job, says it is common for clients to shell out money for technology that ensures safety.  “We’ve done full security in terms of bullet-proof glass on all the windows,” says Fiocchi.  “We’ve even had clients who were extremely paranoid about air quality, so we engaged engineers from Germany to make sure they had the highest air quality known to man circulating through their residences.”

The world’s richest spend millions on the finish work, especially stonework and millwork.  Take the Maison de L’Amitie estate in Palm Beach, Florida that real estate mogul-turned-reality show star Donald Trump sold to Russian fertilizer kingpin, Dmitry Rybolovlev in 2008 for a discounted $95 million (originally listed for $125 million).  The Donald snatched up the 60,000 square foot, oceanfront estate for just over $40 million in 2004 and set to work sprucing it up, adding gold and diamond fixtures and a 50-car garage.

Some billionaires collect pricey plots of land the way others might collect wine or art.  Tech titan Larry Ellison is perhaps most famously known for his Woodside, Calif. compound, fashioned after a Japanese imperial palace with man-made lake, teahouse and moon pavilion.   But the Oracle founder has also dished out hundreds of millions of dollars on more than a dozen Malibu and San Francisco estates in recent years. Earlier this year, he scooped up former billionaire Edra Blixseth’s 240-acre Porcupine Creek estate in Rancho Mirage, Calif. for a deeply discounted $42.9 million.

In Pictures: Monster Billionaire Mansions

A smattering of expensive homes are currently on the market awaiting prospective billionaire buyers, like the Tranquility Estate in Lake Tahoe that recently dropped from $100 million to $75 million, and Manhattan’s Woolworth Mansion listed at a hefty $90 million.  The $48 million “for sale by owner” transaction of the Vanderbilt  townhouse by Sloan Lindemann Barnett, daughter of billionaire George Lindemann, to Libet Johnson of the Johnson and Johnson family, is pending and once closed, will become the most expensive Manhattan residence purchased since the 2008 economic downturn.

“When I think of a trophy property selling or something unusual entering the market that gets a lot of attention it…actually pulls more inventory out onto the market…and other properties that may be considered competing in this price point come out of the woodwork because the selling of them is optional,” explains Jonathan  Miller, chief executive of Miller Samuel Inc, a New York City-based real estate appraisal company.  He notes that while high-end aspiring homeowners have the money to shell out on uber expensive estates, many still tend to abstain from buying property that is wildly overpriced – just as their home-buying peers in the lower ends of the market do.

Monster Billionaire Mansions.
Los Angeles, Platinum Triangle, Beverly Hills, Real Estate, 90210, Bel Air, Holmby Hills, Sunset Strip, Hollywood Hills, Luxury Estates, Mansions, Celebrity Homes, Homes For Sale, Listings, Realtor, Real Estate For sale, Luxury Homes, Los Angeles Realtor, Bel Air Real Estate, Christophe Choo, http://www.ChristopheChoo.com, beverly Hills real estate agent, Beverly Hills Realtor

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Friday, December 23, 2011

Merry #christmas

Santa and his reindeer in Beverly Hills

The Most Outrageous Home Sales Of 2011 - Forbes

Morgan Brennan

Morgan Brennan, Forbes Staff

I write about real estate markets, property porn and cities.

Business
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12/22/2011 @ 7:42PM |3,051 views

The Most Outrageous Home Sales Of 2011

The U.S. housing market is still in the pits, closing another year marked by falling prices, lackluster sales volumes and a steady stream of foreclosures. For the rich and famous, though, it’s been a year of record-breaking purchases.

We sorted through the biggest, splashiest home sales of the year to bring you a recap of the 15 we deem the most outrageous.

Billionaire's Daughter Pays Record Sum For NYC Pad
How Ukrainian Billionaire Alexander Rovt Bought The Sloane Mansion

One of the biggest purchases of the year just closed: an $88 million penthouse condo in New York City’s billionaire-coveted 15 Central Park West.  The 6,744-square-foot apartment, which hit the market in November, sold less than six weeks later to Ekaterina Rybolovleva, the 22-year old daughter of Russian billionaire Dmitriy Rybolovlev, reportedly for the full $88 million asking price.

It is the highest individual transaction in Big Apple history and the second-largest transaction in the U.S. for 2011. Jonathan Miller, chief executive of Miller Samuel, a New York City-based real estate appraisal firm, explained to my colleague Luisa Kroll recently, “This sale is an outlier. It works out to be about $13,000 per square foot, the highest on record, for anything, that has ever occurred.”

The pricey pad belonged to former Citigroup chairman Sandy Weill, who purchased it with his wife in 2007 for $43.7 million — less than half of what it just sold for.  The Weills plan to donate the proceeds to charity and Rybolovleva plans to reside there while attending university in the area. Despite Miller’s insistence that the gargantuan 15 CPW sale is an anomaly, there were two other pricey purchases in New York City this year, both for $48 million apiece.

California’s real estate market welcomed several huge sales as well.  The year’s largest individual transaction was the $100 million purchase in March of a 25,500-square foot Silicon Valley mansion called Palo Alto Loire Chateau. Russian venture capital billionaire Yuri Milner reportedly plans to use the nine-figure compound as a secondary residence. The Levi Strauss estate, with its humble 2,050-square foot abode, in nearby Atherton sold to an unknown buyer for a hefty $53 million in September.

The Spelling Manor, a Los Angeles manse formerly known as America’s most expensive home for sale, secured a buyer this summer after nearly three years on the market.  The hulking 56,500-square foot Holmby Hills estate was listed for $150 million, and ultimately sold to yet another 22-year-old billionaire heiress, Petra Ecclestone, the daughter of Formula One founder Bernie Ecclestone, for a more reasonable $85 million. Like Milner, Ecclestone has no plans to reside there full-time, and will split time between the palatial crash pad and one in London.

But while $85 million may seem like an exorbitant sum to throw down on what essentially will be a pied-a-terre, David Kramer, the Hilton & Hyland agent who represented Ecclestone for her L.A. purchase, says the wealthy British family consider it a good investment. “If you say to someone who has billions of dollars, ‘Hey I’ll get you 43% off of a landmark home that in a good market really would be a $100 million or more home, they will say let’s do it.”

Many real estate experts, Kramer and Miller included, chalk up increased interest in the home market among the big-money set to the same thing: perceived bargains. The weak dollar coupled with depreciated home prices (even at the high end) have translated into investment opportunities, particularly for rich foreigners looking to hedge fortunes in brick and mortar assets.

All of the headline-grabbing sales that have transpired this year have led to even more high-profile properties hitting the sale block. A plethora of trophy homes are available like Manhattan’s $90 million Woolworth Mansion, Guess co-founder Armand Marciano’s $63 million Beverly Hills compound, a $60 million private resort in Indian Creek, Fla., and the less expensive but equally noteworthy $12.5 million former Sinatra estate called Farralone. A $175 million ranch in Jackson, Wyo. also came to market this year.

“I am seeing unique, special properties that no one ever would have thought would come on the market,” says Kramer. “These are properties that, like a piece of  art, can and will never be duplicated. They can be considered part of people’s collections.”

The Most Outrageous Home Sales Of 2011 - Forbes
Los Angeles, Platinum Triangle, Beverly Hills, Real Estate, 90210, Bel Air, Holmby Hills, Sunset Strip, Hollywood Hills, Luxury Estates, Mansions, Celebrity Homes, Homes For Sale, Listings, Realtor, Real Estate For sale, Luxury Homes, Los Angeles Realtor, Bel Air Real Estate, Christophe Choo, http://www.ChristopheChoo.com, beverly Hills real estate agent, Beverly Hills Realtor

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Happy Happy Holidays to you!

Quick Good Fortune: "You make your wishes known through what you love and value."  

Hot Topic of the Week:  

"...just wondering what's with all the different celebrations now - seems like everyone is partying this month."   

A Quick Good Fortune Insight: Nomatter your religious or cultural heritage, the winter Solstice season is a traditional time of gathering together and celebrating. All cultures have a tradition around the longest night of the year.

Solstice or sun cycle celebrationsbegan in ancient history and stone monuments in long forgotten cultures mark the date "the sun stands still" - that's what "solstice" means. It is the day the sun reverses direction and a new solar cycle begins. The old, old practices and teachings formed the foundation of later religions and spiritual rituals and can still be seen in communities across the world.Winter Solstice is one of those rare times when humanity comes together in a global celebration. 

There are three distinct Solstice traditions: Feasting and celebrations in anticipation of the "return of increasing sunlight" and a promise for another year of abundant crops.Second, it is a time to follow the seasons and as Winter "turns within" the teachings of the mystery schools advise looking within yourself. It is a time of soul-searching and deep reflections and of looking back and planning for the future. Third, it is a time of exchanging gifts and showing gratitude and appreciation for family and friends.

"In the depth of winter 
I finally learned that there 
within me lay an 
invincible summer."

 Albert Camus


The light is invited in with many symbols: Trees and Evergreens, a variety of fires, candles, logs, singing and dancing. All are a reminder that the sun is eternal, the cycle is renewing, and so are you. The sun is a symbol of our interconnectedness.It shines equally on all, and mother nature supports all equally. It is a time of finding unity.

Life on earth continually changes, yet the sun endures. It is the source of light and life. Cultures change and traditions come and go, and symbols are in or out of favor. The return of the light on Solstice underlies all traditions.

Celebrate the Season

A decorated tree or candles burning brightly, and special holiday feasts, all make the season a time of magic.

Trees have historically represented nature or Mother Nature, and have a long history of being the center of celebrations. The Bodhi, Banyan and Palm tree are all revered too. The evergreen is recognized for it's promise of the return of the "greening" of life in the coming Spring season.


Modern Tree celebrations in Winter festivities

The Tree is a symbol of regeneration, of life force and of renewal. Today it is usually referred to as a Yule or Christmas tree or New Years tree depending on the customs of different nations celebrating the Winter Holiday.

As in days of old, communities now (cities and capitals) erect a special tree and decorate it with lights and ornaments.Ancient traditional Winter Solstice began with the New Moon in November - culminated on about December 21st at Solstice, and continued to the New Moon in mid-January.It was also a time of gift giving to assure abundance in the coming year. View Holiday Trees from around the world. 

Moscow, Russia, celebrates New Years on January 7th according to the ancient Orthodox calendar. The tree custom dates back to the 17th century and Peter the Great. Religious celebrations were banned for a long period and today New Year is the official holiday.Celebrations begin weeks before Solstice and on January 7th, Father Frost and the Snow Maiden arrive on a magical troika sled or carriage drawn by three horses harnessed side-by-side. They deliver gifts placed under the traditional fir New Year tree.


The Turkish New Year celebrations began in the late 1920s. About 95% of their population is Muslim, and Turks do not celebrate Christmas. As in olden times, gift giving is a part of the winter holiday. New Year celebrations became very popular in Turkey and decorated trees symbolize abundance in the new year. The tree marks the beginning of the celebrations on about December 15th and continues to about January 15th. The mid date of December 31st is considered New Year's Eve.  

Madrid, Spain's two-week celebration at the Puerta del Sol features a huge, festive tree that promises wealth and abundance (as in ancient times.) At least one will win El Gordo (the fat one),the world's biggest lottery drawn almost on the actual Solsticeon December 22nd. 

There are more promises of wealth and abundance at the huge Galeries Lafayette in Paris, France. The giant Christmas tree in the center almost reaches the ornate baroque dome and is surrounded by 10 stories of high fashion luxury. This tree and the beautifully decorated department store draws more visitors than the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower.

Trafalgar Square in London, England,has been gifted with a large Norwegiantree each winter since 1947 - (in 2011, for 65 years) as a token of gratitude for Britain's assistance during World War II. The ceremony marks the beginning of the holiday season. The city of Oslo decorates the tree (as tall as the main square fountain) in traditional Norwegian style with hundreds of individual white lights. 
 
In Washington D.C., USA, the capitol's huge tree is decorated with lights and more than 3,500 ornaments made by schoolchildren from around the country.The holiday begins in early December with lighting the Christmas Tree and the Pathway of Peace. The "Pathway of Peace" consists of 56 smaller, decorated trees representing all states, territories, and the District of Columbia. The tradition began in 1954 when the trees were planted surrounding the National Christmas Tree. They are all illuminated each evening at dusk through January 1st. Seasonal displays include a Yule log, a model train, and musical performances every evening.

Europe's tallest Christmas tree stood for the first time in Lisbon, Portugal in 2004 at over 76 meters. It will stand in a park overlooking the city and the river and is about 44 meters. The park is much higher so the tree is smaller so as not to interfere with air traffic. It is decorated with thousands of lights and is sponsored by different companies at a cost of one to two million euros. The lights are turned on in late November and continue during the holiday season until January. That timing is similar with the ancient Solstice celebrations from the New Moon in November to the New Moon in January.

Ancient to Modern Traditions 

Many strange and unique insights into the magical relationships between mankind and the Solar cycles, the Tree, lights and Winter Solstice.

Cave Drawings & original practices
Early cave drawings depict a tree as a source of renewal and of inspiration. In the early Celtic, Druid, Norse, and Native American traditions selected trees became the focal point to connect with Earth Mother and the forces of nature. In India and Asia certain trees granted wisdom and enlightenment. Practices evolved that assured success and cooperation between the seen and unseen worlds of spirit. Many are the foundation of good luck symbols and fetishes, with the deeper meanings long forgotten.

"To many people holidays 
are not voyages of discovery, 
but a ritual of reassurance." 

Philip Andrew Adams


Solstice and solar cycles

The late Neolithic and Bronze Age archaeological sites in Europe dramatically align with the Solstices. The passage and chamber at New Grange in Ireland, are illuminated by the winter solstice sunrise for 17 minutes at dawnfrom about December 19th to the 23rd.  A shaft of sunlight shines through an open box on the roof over the entrance shining into the passage lighting up the chamber. The stones that remain in the foundations and the primary axes of new Grange and Stonehenge were aligned to the winter solstice sunrise (New Grange) and the winter solstice sunset (Stonehenge). 

Other monuments include those in Egypt, Karnac, Gao Cheng Zhen and Maes Howe. Stone monuments and medicine wheels in both North and South America, and the Inca Festival of the Sun, monuments at Chichen Itza and Chaco Canyon attest to Native cultures orienting their practices and communities to Solar Seasons.

Connections to historical practices


Egyptian:  In ancient Egypt green palm fronds represented the triumph of the Sun God Ra over death.

Greek and Roman celebrations

Brumalia (means "shortest day" or the Winter Solstice) was an ancient Greek festival honoring Dionysus, and later became a Roman solstice festival honoring Bacchus, generally held for 28 days, a moon cycle, and ending on Solstice. The festival included bonfires, music, dancing, drinking and gift exchanges. Duringthe feast called Saturnalia, the Romans decorated their homes with evergreen plants as a reminder winter soon would be over, and that Saturn, the God of Agriculture, would return to the fields and orchards. 

"Perhaps the best Yuletide 
decoration is being 
wreathed in smiles."

Proverb


Yule and Northern European Traditions

The oldest and most popular European celebration of the winter solstice isYule. On the night of Yule or Solstice, the Goddess gives birth to the new sun, eternally renewing the cycle of the seasons. Yule  continues for 12 days.

The Yule Nativitywas Mother Nature, Father Time and the Baby Sun God. Other traditions of Yule include caroling, sharing gifts, decorating trees, holly, Yule logs, mistletoe, ivy, magical reindeer -- and the red and green colors now common for the season.

For the Druid, the Oak King and Holly King were two faces of the same Life Force. The Oak King battled the Holly King at Solstice and won, bringing back the light of summer. At Summer Solstice, The Holly King wins, and the dark of winter prevails. Holly is the symbol of the dark giving way to the light in an eternal dance of the seasons.

As Northern Europe was the last to become Christian, its pagan traditions had a major influence on Christmas.Scandinavians still call Christmas Jul. In English, the word Yule is synonymous with Christmas, a usage first recorded in 900. 

"Christmas gift suggestions:

To your enemy, forgiveness.
To an opponent, tolerance.
To a friend, your heart.
To a customer, service.
To all, charity.
To every child,
a good example.
To yourself, respect."

Oren Arnold


Christmas
Christmas is the celebration of the birth of the Christian Deity Jesus Christ or the Messiah.  His birth is observed on December 25, which was the Roman winter solsticeestablished by the Julian Calendar. Christian's adapted folk elements of popular festivals from various cultures.Modern Christmas customs include: gift-giving, feasting, greenery, lights and bonfires, from the Scandinavia, Germans, Greeks and Romans; and Yule logs and traditions from indigenous European cultures, and various foods from German feasts. 

"I will love the light 
for it shows me 
the way, yet I will 
endure the darkness 
because it shows 
me the stars."

Og Mandino


Festival of Lights or Celebration of Light around the world

The Persian New Year, also known as Festival of Light dates at least to 1700 BCE in the early Zoroastrian era. 

 

Festival of Lights in India - Ghee lamps.

Diwali, (Deepawali)is a religious festival associated withHinduism, Sikhism, and Jainism. The biggest and definitely the brightest - is the Festival of Lights ("deep" means light and "avail" means in a row or a row of lights). The four days of celebration lights up India with candles and lamps. Each of the four days in the festival of Diwali celebrates a different tradition, but all celebrate the return of light and of auspicious events and deities. The date is determined by the Hindu calendar and ranges from mid-October to early December.


Hanukkah is a Jewish festival also called The Festival of Lights. The first day of Hanukkah in 2011 is on the evening of Tuesday, December 20, 2011, meaning the first candle to be lit is on Monday night, December 19. The holiday runs 8 days, through evening of Wednesday, December 28th. The date is set according to the Hebrew calendar.

"Blessed is the season 
which engages the whole 
world in a conspiracy 
of love." 

Hamilton Wright Mabie


Feeling the Magic of the Solstice Holiday Season
Ancient connections to this sacred magical time span the world, cultures and centuries. Our ancestors celebrated in many traditions.It's no wonder many today enjoy the celebrations at Solstice around a tree or lights -- and a time decorated and adorned with wishes of good will, harmony, prosperity and blessings.

Although the ancient Solstice celebration is often called Christmas - that is more a result of habit than that Solstice traditions began with any one faith. In fact many early Christians such as Martin Luther and John Calvin banned it; the Puritans refused to recognize it; and the tree and other associated symbols was even made illegal in Boston in 1659. Many denied any association with the tree, fire and gifts as a pagan or a non-Christian celebration, which they are. You do not have to follow others and may want to make a new decision based on what feels right to you. 

Blending and adapting the best of it 

China has long been home to three religions: Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism. Many Chinese are masters at blending all three.In contrast, the West usually divides itself up into separate faiths, each rejecting other religion's beliefs. Recently, however, in North America many new faiths are adapting new ideas from the sciences along with favorite old traditions. 

For example, the terms Judaism or Christianity today may refer to wide a variety of diverse beliefs and practices.Some Faiths are using elements from both Eastern and Western spiritual traditions and creating new religions or reviving ancient practices. Some choose to create a personalized path and a direct connection with Life Force similar to mystical or Shamanic traditions.

Kwanzaa is a recent creation (1966) honoring African heritage and culture.It is a 7 day spiritual practice from December 26 to January 1, created by Dr. Maulana Karenga, Professor, Department of Africana Studies, CSU--Long Beach. It is the opportunity for blacks to celebrate themselves and their own history.

"The holiest of all holidays 
are those kept by ourselves 
in silence and apart; 
the secret anniversaries 
of the heart." 

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow


Why not celebrate the Solstice traditions of abundance and renewal that appeal to you -- combined with your own spiritual practice. Today there is more enlightened religious flexibility, and many celebrate with a tree or lights at the holidays that are not Christian practitioners. 

If the magic of Solstice calls to you, respond in your own unique way. Use what has meaning to youand let go all that does not.

"Take rest;
a field that has
rested gives a
bountiful crop." 

Ovid


This Solstice take some quiet time and get in touch with your personal truth and those practices you enjoy and that enliven your Holiday Season - and enjoy knowing you are celebrating as your ancestors have - for many, many thousands of centuries.

Stress often accompanies this very busy time of year - and PSTEC is offering a Holiday Gift- and special discounts. 

PSTEC(TM) is a FREE unique 11 minute audio track which can be played to anyone (including yourself) to create a resolution for almost any problem related to unwanted emotions or feelings.

PSTEC clears out trauma and blasts through emotional barriers - relieving anxiety and pain. This treatment is an alternative to hypnosis, EFT, NLP and hypnotherapy. 

You can test it yourself with the free audio download. There is nothing to understand or figure out first. Begin with an issue in your life and get started. Tap along with the audio tape, and you get results very quickly. Find what works for you - and use it! ThePSTC Holiday Bonuslasts until January 5, 2012.


Enjoy a stress free holiday, festivities and Good Fortune in 2012,

Blessings, Cheryl
 

P.S. there's more to explore....

Solar Seasons show the BIG picture of life in relation to natural sun cycles. Where are you in the Big Picture? Find out here.

Use Winter Solstice Magic to assure a successful New Year. Begin now to create the life you want to live in 2010. 


'Tis the season to share and enjoy. Gifts can be a kind word or helping hand.

You'll feel good sharing happiness with others. It only takes a moment to make this holiday brighter for someone stressed out and in need of a helping hand.

 
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You never know how little acts of kindness affect others. Often the right word or insight can make a huge difference.  There are many free downloads, tools, tips and strategies here...and most could use a little more Good Fortune this Holiday Season.

You are welcome to copy and share this; please include all of it as it is written,including links and my contact information. Thanks for sharing www.Quick-GoodFortune.com   Copyright 1974-2011  ©  The Good Fortune Company LLC - All  Rights reserved.
 
 

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Quotes

"We cannot 
adopt the way 
of living that 
was satisfactory 
a hundred 
years ago. 

The world in 
which we live 
has changed, 
and we must 
change with it."

Felix Adler

"Life is a process.

We are a process.

 The universe 
is a process.."

Anne Wilson Schaef

 

"They say that
time changes 
things, but you 
actually have 
to change them 
yourself."

Andy Warhol

 

"It takes a lot 
of courage to 
release the 
familiar and 
seemingly secure, 
to embrace 
the new. 

But there is 
no real security 
in what is no 
longer meaningful. 

There is more 
security in the 
adventurous and 
exciting, for in
movement there 
is life, and in 
change there 
is power."

Alan Cohen

 

"The art of progress 
is to preserve order 
amid change and 
to preserve change 
amid order."

Alfred North Whitehead

 

"When we blindly 
adopt a religion, 
a political system, 
a literary dogma, 
we become 
automatons. 

We cease 
to grow."

Anais Nin

 

"And this I know; 
whether the one 
True Light
Kindle to Love,
or Wrath consume 
me quite,
One flash of it 
within the 
Tavern caught
Better than in 
the temple 
lost outright."

Rubaiyat of 
Omar Khayyam

 

"There are two
ways of spreading 
light: To be the 
candle or the mirror 
that reflects it."

Edith Wharton

 

"The future has
a way of arriving 
unannounced."

George Will

 

"Beautiful light
is born of darkness, 
so the faith that 
springs from conflict
is often the strongest 
and the best."

R. Turnbull

 

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