News for the Network – Dec 2009 – Christie’s Great Estates

Hilton & Hyland’s $50 Million September

“Who says the market is soft?” says Rick Hilton, co-owner of Hilton & Hyland Real Estate with Jeff Hyland. Four high-value California estates, totaling US$50 million, were sold by the company in September. The properties—located in Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Brentwood, and Malibu—were listed for US$19.99 million; US$17.9 million; US$7.3 million; and US$5.7 million. “While people are looking for value,” adds Hyland, “we encourage them to recognize and act on an opportunity when they see one.”

Stiller & Hohla’s Schloss Velden Success

Austria’s legendary resort Schloss Velden is experiencing brisk activity because of the sales and marketing expertise of Salzberg’s Stiller & Hohla Immobilien GmbH. The company sold 24 apartments at the resort for a combined total of €35 million. “The Austrian real estate market is very conservative and was never a speculative market,” says Leo Hohla, company president. “For this reason, the price levels of high-end residential properties remains stable.” Stiller & Hohla is the exclusive representative of Schloss Velden and has featured the property on a Custom Cover of Christie’s Great Estates magazine. It can also be seen in New Developments on www.christiesgreatestates.com.

Alton & Westall Reports a Near-record Sale

The second-highest residential sale in Williamstown, Massachusetts, was reported last month. The spectacular 16-acre Shephard’s Well estate was sold for US$2.2 million by Alton & Westall Agency, Real Estate. Sited at a 1,300-foot elevation, the beautiful 5,000-square-foot home is bordered by hundreds of acres of state-owned conservation land. The highest sale on record, also represented by Alton & Westall, was the Cole Porter estate in 2004, which sold for US$2.3 million. Listing broker Gintare Everett noted in an interview with the North Adams Transcript that Alton & Westall’s two highest sales are due in large part to the company’s affiliation with Christie’s Great Estates.

Tax Law Changes Spark Interest in Switzerland

The Switzerland market is benefiting from proposed changes to tax laws in the U.K. and the Italian government’s tax amnesty to encourage repatriation of foreign-parked money. “We are seeing more inquiries than usual from these two countries,” says Peter Rabitz of Wetag Consulting in Locarno. Switzerland’s investment-friendly tax laws and the advantageous Mediterranean-like climate have resulted in 80 percent of Wetag’s buyers coming from outside the country. The company reports two Significant Sales from the past month: a classic villa built in 1700 for CHF 5.35 million and another villa for CHF 1.8 million.

Isleworth Realty’s November to Remember

November 3 was an auspicious day for Isleworth Realty. Three properties, with a combined value exceeding US$10 million, sold on that date. The real estate company, which exclusively sells property behind the gates of Isleworth Golf & Country Club, said the three residences were purchased by current Isleworth homeowners and an Isleworth club member. Prices: US$4.2 million, US$3.26 million, and US$2.7 million. “While the affluent can afford to buy in any market, many were waiting on the sidelines until now,” says Lisa Richards, company president.

Harry Norman Reports 15 Sales over US$1 million in October

Seventy-seven properties in Atlanta, Georgia, all listed for more than US$1million, were sold by Harry Norman, Realtors since January of 2009. October was the most successful month to date with 15 such transactions. Two of the listings were featured in the current issue of Christie’s Great Estates magazine. “We certainly feel that the relationship with Christie’s has contributed to an increase in sales of our luxury listings,” says Martha Hayhurst, President, Harry Norman, Realtors.

Santa Fe Properties Commands Local Luxury Market

From October 1st through November 30th, Santa Fe Properties closed 11 properties priced at more than US$1 million including La Cueva Ranch, listed at US$5.8 million. “Luxury sales in Santa Fe had slowed considerably in 2009 until recently, when we experienced a buying spree for homes priced over a million dollars,” says Candy Brenton, Marketing Director. “The flurry of activity took us all by surprise.” From January through mid-August, Santa Fe had a grand total of 33 sales over US$1 million. By contrast, between mid-August and early November, there were 43 sales for the same price point.

More Significant Sales from the Network

David Ogilvy & Associates, Inc., Greenwich, Connecticut. List Price: US$10,000,000

Joshua & Co., Aspen, Colorado. List Price: US$8,750,000

John Taylor, Villefranche-sur-Mer, France. List Price of €5,800,000

Ken Jacobs, Wagstaffe Point, Australia. List Price: AU$3,600,000

Ken Jacobs, Balmain, Australia. List Price: AU$2,800,000

Special Properties, Saddle River, New Jersey. List Price: US$2,395,000

Fenton Lang Bruner & Associates, Jupiter Island, Florida. List Price: US$2,350,000

Select Properties of Virginia/Richmond, Richmond, Virginia. List Price: US$2,200,000

Trails West Real Estate, Bigfork, Montana. List Price: US$1,995,000

Former Home of Carla Bruni-Sarkozy in Turin Hills Hits the Market

The Castle of Castagneto Po, a historic 11th-Century residence in Italy’s Turin Hills, is now on the market. Surrounded by more than 70 hectares, or nearly 173 acres, of verdant beauty, the storied castle is represented by exclusive affiliate ImmobilSarda, and was once home to Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, the First Lady of France. Her grandfather Virginio Bruni Tedeschi—the founder of Italian tire manufacturing company CEAT—renovated the property into a refined residence as well as a venue for exhibitions and events of special artistic interest. To read more or to share this story on your blog, Twitter, or Facebook accounts visit the News Center.

Ingmar Bergman’s Estate in Fårö, Sweden, Sells

Legendary director Ingmar Bergman’s family compound in Fårö, Sweden, has been sold. Located on Fårö, the stunning Baltic Island off the coast of Gotland, the estate comprises five properties and was the setting for some of his most famous films. Premier international marketing services for the property were provided by Christie’s Great Estates. Read more at the News Center.

Data Feed Service: Cost-effective Global Exposure

One third of the affiliates are taking advantage of Christie’s Great Estates Data Feed Service. In addition to considerable savings on the cost of Web ads, the program also offers international Web exposure on The Wall Street Journal, Country Life, and the Robb Report via the Transfer Data Feed Service. New enrollees this month include IRG International Realty Group of Lisbon, Portugal; Van Sciver Realtors of Mantoloking, New Jersey; and PureWest Inc. of Bozeman, Montana. For details—including the three pricing plans and the Data Feed Guide—go to www.christiesgreatestates.net.

The Art of Living Newsletter

The Client Newsletter has a new look. The Newsletter is entitled “The Art of Living,” and is available for download from the Extranet site. On the customizable back page, share your local market trends, new listings, and sales. The newsletter templates are available in Microsoft Word, Adobe InDesign, and Microsoft Publisher. If you encounter any production problems, Monique Sofo, msofo@christiesge.com, is available to assist.