Chattanooga Real Estate Blog

Chattanooga Real Estate Today
 

Most Expensive Homes in the US

Posted in General Real Estate Info, Just for Fun by Karen Rhodes on May 13th, 2010

Check out the most expensive homes currently listed in the US as compiled by Forbes.  Any takers?

$150 million

The Manor

Holmby Hills, Calif.

The home that Candy Spelling, widow of television giant Aaron, put on the market in 2008, out-prices every other property in the U.S. The 56,500 square-foot English-style mansion has a bowling alley, wine cellar, rooms for gift-wrapping and silver and china display, a library, gym and media room. Its 4.6 acres includes pools, a spa, landscaped gardens, a waterfall and parking for over 100 cars.

Spelling

$125 million

Fleur de Lys

Beverly Hills, Calif.

This 35,000-square-foot home, listed in 2007, is said to be modeled after Versailles, and the mansion makes no attempt at understatement. Its 12 bedrooms, 15 bathrooms, 50-seat screening room, Italian marble and gold-embossed leather walls ooze wealth. Owner Suzanne Saperstein hasn’t compromised on the price in three years. After all, it’s a relative bargain compared to the manor, just a few blocks away.

0505_fleur-de-lys-expensive-homes_485x340

$100 million

Tranquility Estate

Lake Tahoe, Nev.

Tommy Hilfiger cofounder Joel Horowitz’s 210-acre spread features the third-highest price tag in America. The 20,000-square-foot main house has extras like a cigar lounge, art studio and sports gym, while its grounds feature a golf course, boathouse and views of Lake Tahoe. A staircase in the home replicates the stairs of the S.S. Titanic. The home has been on the market for almost four years.

0505_tranquility-estate-expensive-homes_485x340

$80 million

Kaiser Estate

Honolulu, Hawaii

Separately, the three coastal parcels that comprise the former estate of industrialist Henry J. Kaiser wouldn’t make this year’s list, but together, the 5.5-acre property becomes one of the country’s most expensive. The island getaway offers coastal views and a sleek mid-century style 15,000-square-foot home, extensively landscaped tropical grounds and a 12,000-square-foot boathouse and marina. Tech tycoon Fred Chan and his wife, Annie, put the home on the market in January 2009.

0505_kaiser-estate-expensive-homes_485x340

$75 million

Humming Bird Nest Ranch

Simi Valley, Calif.

Though it’s named after the tiniest of birds, this property spans 123 acres. In addition to a 17,000-square-foot Spanish-Revival-style main house, six guest homes and 10 townhouses grace the estate, as does a fully equipped equestrian center and parking for 200 vehicles. If driving doesn’t suit you, there’s also a helicopter pad.

0505_humming-bird-ranch-expensive-homes_485x340

$75 million

Former Julius Forstmann House

New York, N.Y.

Historic, spacious and well-located Upper East Side townhouses don’t come on the market very often. When they do, they typically command attention with a jaw-dropping price tag, and this 21,000-square-foot limestone mansion on 71st Street, off Fifth Avenue is no exception. It has been on the market since 2008. Built in 1922 for Forstmann, a wealthy German merchant, the landmarked building offers five stories packed with original details like a sweeping marble staircase, marble fireplace and hand-carved moldings.

0505_julius-fronntsman-expensive-homes_485x340

$75 million

Porcupine Creek

Rancho Mirage, Calif.

Golf enthusiasts with deep pockets might swing by Porcupine Creek, a residence that features a 19-hole course that won acclaim from Golf Digest magazine and was put on the market early this year. Its 249 acres outside of Palm Springs are also home to a 25,000-square-foot main house, a spa, gym, pool and grotto. Edra Blixseth, who got the property in a divorce settlement with her husband, Tim Blixeth, is selling the home out of bankruptcy.

0505_porcupine-creek-expensive-homes_485x340



Military, Federal Employees and the Homebuyer Tax Credit

Posted in General Real Estate Info, Governmental Issues by Karen Rhodes on April 28th, 2010

Reminder: Members of the military and certain federal employees serving outside the US have an extra year to qualify for the first time homebuyer credit.

Additionally, there are new benefits for members of the military and certain other federal employees:
Members of the military and certain other federal employees serving outside the U.S. have an extra year to buy a principal residence in the U.S. and qualify for the credit. Thus, an eligible taxpayer must buy, or enter into a binding contract to buy, a principal residence on or before April 30, 2011. If a binding contract is entered into by that date, the taxpayer has until June 30, 2011, to close on the purchase.

Members of the uniformed services, members of the Foreign Service and employees of the intelligence community are eligible for this special rule. It applies to any individual (and, if married, the individual’s spouse) who serves on qualified official extended duty service outside of the United States for at least 90 days during the period beginning after Dec. 31, 2008, and ending before May 1, 2010

Tags: , , ,


Don’t Miss Out on Free Money

Posted in General Real Estate Info, Governmental Issues by Karen Rhodes on April 23rd, 2010

There is only one week to go to take advantage of the home buyers tax credit. First time home buyers can get up to $8000 and repeat buyers can get up to $6500. Don’t miss out. You need to be under contract by 4-30 and close by 6-30. There are some great deals available right now and the extra cash is the cherry on top! Call me today :)

Tags: , ,


February 2010 MLS Stats

Posted in Chattanooga MLS Stats by Karen Rhodes on April 6th, 2010

In February of this year, Southeast Tennessee and the Northwest Georgia area saw the sale of 406 residential units, a gratifying 35.8% increase compared to the previous month’s sales, and a 19.1% increase in sales over the same period last year.

units sold

The current projections for residential mortgage interest rates have shown little change within the past few home sales reporting periods.

Interest rate projection

For the month of February, the local median home price was $121,750. That represents a decrease of 3.0% from the same period one year earlier and a slight gain of 1.9% from the median price reported the previous month. The adjusted median price remains one of the more attractive for U.S. regions of this size.

Median Price

In terms of the number of average days on the local market, February 2010 saw a small increase over figures from the same month in 2009, but down somewhat from the previous month of January of 2010. Those swings do not seem to portend anything more extraordinary than the variety of factors that comprise the overall operational vagaries of a recovering market system.

Average Days on Market

A review of the historical sales activities during the month of February over the past ten years shows a remarkable consistency, with the often stated sole exception of the “boom” years of the past mid-decade.

decade

Tags: , , ,


Spring Forward

Posted in General Info by Karen Rhodes on March 12th, 2010

Daylight Savings Time is this Sunday so remember to set your locks ahead an hour before going to bed Saturday night.   spring forwardIt’s a good time to check smoke detector batteries, medicine cabinet for expired products, first aid kit is up-to-date and the lights & signals on your car & bike.

Did you know  Benjamin Franklin created the idea of DST to make use of all available sunshine. Daylight Savings Time was later implemented and now used all over the world.

Tags: , , , , ,


21926 River Canyon Rd #206

Posted in My Listings by Karen Rhodes on March 11th, 2010

Possible Owner Financing Available—Nice 2 bed 2.5 bath condo in River Landing with breathtaking views of the 206 river canyonsurrounding mountains. The master bedroom has a jetted tub and a deck to sit on and enjoy nature. Even the second bedroom has it’s own bath! The laundry closet is on the upper level so no dragging laundry up and down the steps. The kitchen is sized to accommodate a dinette table plus there is a formal dining area separating the kitchen from the living room. The corner fireplace in the living room makes this the coziest home you have ever been in! Just out the front door and a few steps across the parking lot you’ll find a pool and pool house. Great for investment as a rental or to live in yourself.



2701 Corral Rd Signal Mountain TN

Posted in My Listings by Karen Rhodes on March 11th, 2010

Private, level, and wooded acreage. Underground utilities & well water available. Adjacent parcel 12 acres also available. corral15 minutes to Northgate/Hixson area.

Tags: , , ,


21926 River Canyon Rd #202

Posted in My Listings by Karen Rhodes on March 11th, 2010

Possible Owner Financing Available—Nice 2 bed 2.5 bath condo in River Landing with breathtaking views of the 21926 River Canyon #202surrounding mountains. The master bedroom has a jetted tub and a deck to sit on and enjoy nature. Even the second bedroom has it’s own bath! The laundry closet is on the upper level so no dragging laundry up and down the steps. The kitchen is sized to accommodate a dinette table plus there is a formal dining area separating the kitchen from the living room. The corner fireplace in the living room makes this the coziest home you have ever been in! Just out the front door and a few steps across the parking lot you’ll find a pool and pool house. Great for investment as a rental or to live in yourself.

Tags: , , , ,


21926 River Canyon #205

Posted in My Listings by Karen Rhodes on March 11th, 2010

Possible Owner Financing Available—Nice 2 bed 2.5 bath condo in River Landing with breathtaking views of the 21926 River Canyon #205surrounding mountains. The master bedroom has a jetted tub and a deck to sit on and enjoy nature. Even the second bedroom has it’s own bath! The laundry closet is on the upper level so no dragging laundry up and down the steps. The kitchen is sized to accommodate a dinette table plus there is a formal dining area separating the kitchen from the living room. The corner fireplace in the living room makes this the coziest home you have ever been in! Just out the front door and a few steps across the parking lot you’ll find a pool and pool house. Great for investment as a rental or to live in yourself.


Tags: , , , ,


Call for Help

Posted in General Info by Karen Rhodes on March 5th, 2010

My sister has Myasthenia Gravis.baLogo

Myasthenia gravis is a neuromuscular disorder characterized by variable weakness of voluntary muscles, which often improves with rest and worsens with activity. The condition is caused by an abnormal immune response.

She has to have weekly Plasmapheresis.

A technique in which blood plasma containing antibodies against the body is removed from the body and replaced with fluids donated antibody-free plasma.

She frequently needs blood transfusions as well.

If you donate and do not name someone who it is for would you please donate in her name? Insurance doesn’t pay for blood and her supply of whole blood is down to 2 pints. Her name is Janet Rhodes and she gets her treatments at Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga, TN.

Any donations would be appreciated.

Tags: , , ,



« Previous Page« Previous entries « Previous Page · Next Page » Next entries »Next Page »