They were hosted by Haute Living's Erik Haase. Watch the full webinar below.

Highlight quotes:

Kevin Crigger: "With all the concerns related to Covid, and all of the shutdowns and related regulatory changes, the interesting part is we had our best performance ever for the luxury sector. For a lot of our clients, and many of them own obviously multiple jurisdictions around the world, many of them had fabulous properties in Toronto but didn't spend full time in them, and with the lockdown and limitations on travel, everyone reevaluated their home situation. We saw the largest number of luxury transactions over $10 million that our market has ever seen in the single-family home sector but also in luxury condos. Prices have been getting close to $3,000 a square foot for new condo projects, and there is a huge level of local demand. An interesting conversation in the Toronto market has been around affordability; our government brought in a foreign buyer tax in 2017 and the idea was to sort of cool the market to make it more affordable for domestic purchasers. With Covid, we've had no international market here at all, so all the demands really been fueled by local buyers because people can't get into the country. And despite that, we saw an incredible 2020, and looking at the start of 2021, we have properties where we have 21 offers, selling $500-700,000 over asking and inventory remains quite low, so the demand is incredibly high.

Ryan Knowles: "Most of our interest comes from foreign buyers right. The market is driven by foreign demand. During Covid, we've had more and more people, especially from the US, looking for a safe haven where they can shelter in place, isolate, get away from the lockdowns, especially this time of year get away from the cold. A lot of them are renting but we've also been finding that some of them are looking to purchase and actually move full-time to the Bahamas to a warmer climate. We're very close to the US, with daily flights from Miami, New York, Chicago, Charlotte, and lots of different places. If you're coming from a place like New York where real estate is incredibly expensive, you get a lot more bang for your buck in a place like the Bahamas. The government shut down travel for a few months, but there were still ways to get around that if you could travel privately, which many of our clients did. Since about October they've lifted it, so now we have commercial flights coming in every day. It's not what it used to be, but we're probably at about 30 to 40% of our previous capacity. The hotels are still a little bit slow, but we're also finding that a lot of people are doing deals virtually. We do a virtual showing either on Zoom or WhatsApp video and they'll purchase sight-unseen you know, Then they get to come down here after that; they bring everything that they need, and off you go... It's a great time to buy right now. The markets are definitely moving up; inventory is limited. There's only so much land, especially in prime locations. There is only so much beachfront left."

Justin White: "When we talked in July last year, that's when he started to focus on this idea of safe haven real estate. Not JUST a safe haven for financially secure investments, but with regards to what was happening in the midst of this horrible pandemic. Similar to the Bahamas, most of our business comes from outside of Antigua, especially in the luxury area. We are a very small island nation, an independent nation, Antigua and Barbuda. There are a few really good developments to speak about, but the amount of stock or available real estate on the market at any one given time, there is not that much. There are very limited opportunities for something that you really want, and if you really are trying to secure something in a safe haven... Antigua was a very well-kept secret for a long time. It was a playground for the rich and the famous that didn't want to be seen and wanted to have a discrete holiday. Now, what we're seeing is the masses are starting to look at Antigua for all of the benefits that we were talking about here."

Craig Ryan: "Since we last spoke, our Q1 has broken all records in sales and offers accepted, so we have already hit 2021 with a bang. And a big shout out to Haute Residence for putting us on the map in July [2020] talking about safe-havens... We have more offers accepted for the months of December 2020 and January 2021 than we did for 2020. People are coming in; they understand. It's a word-of-mouth community. Owners that have a property, they're telling their friends, and when their friends visit here they are not leaving until they have a definite property... We have properties under offer right now that clients have not seen. They have seen the videos, they've seen the Matterport, and they are confident enough to say, 'We want this property.' So when they do arrive in Antigua, they now own the property. This has attributed to the entire world economic scale and understanding these people want to have no issues. When they reach Antigua, they want to go to their home. They are having meetings with lawyers while they're here to have escrows and the ability to put offers on properties in the two-week, three-week vacation that they're on the island, which has never been seen before. We are now reaching a point where if this continues for six more months, everything will be resale."

To watch more real estate webinars curated by Haute Residence, visit dev.hauteresidence.com.

Top: Kevin Crigger, Craig Ryan; Bottom: Justin White, Ryan Knowles

The post Watch: International Luxury Real Estate Panel appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Photo Credit: Shutterstock

"Agents provide three distinct advantages: objectivity, market intelligence, and honed sales skills. Combined with fiduciary responsibility to the vendor, they simplify the sales process and optimize opportunities to sell the property at the best price possible in the shortest amount of time." - Sue Nickason, Provenance Properties, Cayman Islands.

"Having a trusted adviser is critical to selling a home in this challenging market. Your agent will have knowledge of the market, be able to identify a qualified buyer, and be able to market effectively toward a quick sale." - Leslie S. Modell, Midtown East, New York City, NY.

"It's hard to keep this answer short as there are so many reasons to not go it alone! I suppose the quickest way to draw a parallel is, would you defend yourself in a court of law or would you hire a professional?  Would you repair your own car after a fender bender or would you hire a professional?  Would you fill your own cavity or would you hire a professional? Did you know that most for sale by owner sellers think they'll save money by wading through the world of real estate on their own, but on average, for sale by owner homes sell for less than the market average?  Why not hire a professional to take care of you every step of the way?" - Anne-Britt Østlund, Telluride, CO.

"The Real Estate Agent value proposition is truly valuable to a transaction, as it brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the transaction, extrapolating at the same time, the emotional attachments that sellers typically have to the Real Estate." - Bento Queiroz, Southwest Ranches, FL.

"A qualified REALTOR® offers key components such as marketing expertise, negotiation skills, wider exposure and a professional rather than emotional approach to each transaction." - Jennifer Shemwell, President, Phyllis Browning Company, San Antonio, TX.

"We have a huge advantage because of our experience – with marketing, transactions, and relationships with experts in the community. Plus, I always have buyers who are looking. We make the entire process easier by handling all the details, so the seller doesn’t have to." - Darlene Streit, New Mexico.

"15 hours a day,  estate agents interact with fellow brokers, potential clients, and other industry partners, providing access to a far larger sales network. Most importantly, having a professional Estate agent present your home also takes the emotions and nostalgia out of the transaction, allowing them to present the property in a way that appeals to the broader range of buyers. This puts the focus on the main points that will appeal to the current market conditions, rather than focusing on the lifetime of memories created by the owners, or factors that are no longer relevant. The aim is to sell quickly at the best value, agents are in the best position to do this." - Justin White, Anchor Antigua Realty, Antigua.

For more, visit https://dev.hauteresidence.com/.

The post Selling A Home? Have A Professional Do It For You appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

The panelists were hosted by Haute Living's Erik Haase in the engaging dialogue. They were:

• Robert Greenwood, Partner, Regency International Estates, Turks and Caicos
• John Christie, Partner, HG Christie, Bahamas
• Justin White, Director of Sales, Anchor Antigua Realty, Antigua
• Craig Ryan, Principal, Anchor Antigua Realty, Antigua

Watch the webinar below.

Highlight quotes:

Robert Greenwood: "In Turks and Caicos, we just had a look at the second quarter numbers and we've held well over the preceding couple of years. In some sectors, especially our villa sector, we actually increased sales last year, so I think that's a real indicator that people are looking for COVID safe haven properties throughout the entire region... We see the growth because people are looking for a safe haven. And if you're going to quarantine, you might just as well quarantine in paradise... [Buyers] feel comfortable because they know the Christie's brand, the trust and the integrity that comes with it, and they're happy to say, 'Okay, let's do the deal.'"

John Christie: "There are different kinds of buyers and visitors in the Bahamas. If you're someone from New York and you're used to action being around, Nassau is the place for you, with large hotels, casinos, nightclubs, and all the main luxury communities. With COVID, we have seen a spike in interest in private islands, because there's no better place to have than your own private island if you want to control your destiny and a place to lock down. That's been one of our strengths. If you're a beginner buyer or someone that has a couple of extra dollars, you can get lots as low as $20,000."

Justin White: "Antigua is a unique place. We have zero capital gains tax, zero inheritance tax, and zero income tax. That's the benefit there and itself. We have opportunities in almost every single angle, especially with regards to real estate... We have boutique hotels, luxury resorts, luxury villas, and tons of empty primetime land right on the ocean with a citizenship aspect, whereby you can gain citizenship to this country if you meet certain prerequisites... Being Antiguan isn't just for Antiguans. If you're willing to come here and adopt the culture and invest with us, we are happy to put our arm around your shoulder and say you're one of us."

Craig Ryan: "We have seen a big uptick in our luxury rental market. There's nothing easier than for your family to come down and get a five-bedroom villa on the beach, and you have your week to be by yourself... We opened up our borders June 1st, and from there, we've had full planes from America because there's a huge demand. People are ready to finally get out and enjoy life... If I have a client that doesn't find a product that works in Antigua, I'm calling up John and Robert. That's the level of family we have between the affiliates where it's not a cold introduction email. We have support between the islands and the Christie's network overall."

Top: Robert Greenwood, John Christie. Bottom: Justin White, Craig Ryan

The post Christie’s International Real Estate Panel Talks Benefits Of Investing In The Caribbean Market appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Photo Credit: Christie’s International Real Estate - Seattle

People who used to travel the world and stay in beautiful homes to get away from their busy lives are now thinking about second homes because, in unpredictable times like these, travel just isn’t an option. “Absolutely, the incidence of second home buying will go up,” says Dan Conn, CEO of Christie’s International Real Estate.

According to Harris Poll’s April 28, 2020 report, 43 percent of urban dwellers and 26 percent of suburbanites have recently browsed real estate websites for homes/apartments to rent or buy. The coronavirus pandemic has people thinking about how they want to live, according to Conn. With more opportunity to work remotely, properties in rural areas or acreage properties within a short drive from urban centers have become attractive options as they provide a sense of separation or distance.

Photo Credit: Christie’s International Real Estate - Seattle

“Inquiries about vineyards, acreage estates and off-the-grid properties have increased significantly over the last two months,” says Kendra Ratcliff, COO of Washington’s Christie’s International Real Estate - Seattle. “Our clients are re-evaluating their lives and realizing that working from home is not only possible but preferable.”

This dramatic shift in interest is being seen on a global level. “Our brokers throughout the world, from Portugal to Antigua to Amsterdam and Monaco, are receiving more and more interest in properties that promote a more self-sustaining lifestyle,” continues Ratcliff. “Washington has an incredible array of locations where one can find luxury properties. The Pacific Northwest is truly appealing to our clients because of the area’s natural beauty and outstanding real estate options that range from secluded island properties in the Puget Sound to ranches in Eastern Washington, vineyards in the Walla Walla, Columbia and Yakima Valleys and mountain-top getaways near Mt. Rainier or the breathtaking Okanogan in Washington and British Columbia, Canada.”

Photo Credit: Christie’s International Real Estate - Seattle

Sacrificing luxury for location is no longer a concern as remote properties in the luxury category are far from the rustic cabin in the woods of yesteryear. “While you may be miles from the nearest grocery store, these rural estates have the same or better amenities as their urban counterparts,” Ratcliff explains. Helipads, pools, hiking trails, equestrian grounds, gardens, and vineyards are but a few of the exterior features you might find. While gourmet kitchens, “smart home” technology, athletic courts, wine cellars, gyms, and saunas are often found inside these highly sought-after homes.

High-end rural properties in the Pacific Northwest are not new, but this shift in the luxury real estate market has created a new demand for them that is sure to stay. “I think [second home buying] will be a secular shift in the market. That won’t change,” concluded Conn.

Photo Credit: Christie’s International Real Estate - Seattle

“Those looking to distance themselves physically, whether it is a primary residence or vacation home, will never have to compromise location for luxury,” Ratcliff assures. “We have incredible properties in all corners of Washington that fit the needs of our high-wealth clients.”

For more information about rural luxury properties throughout Oregon and Washington, please contact Kendra Ratcliff at 503-330-6677 or kendraratcliff@christiesrealestateseattle.com.

The post Washington’s Rural Properties Offer Luxury And Seclusion appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.