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What is your favorite way to network with other professionals in the real estate industry?

Alex Min, Lake Tahoe, NV: "In-person and live. Visiting the various affiliate offices has been one of my primary tools."

Bento Queiroz of The Bento Queiroz Group, Southwest Ranches/Weston, FL: "In the business field"

Brian Pearl of the Pearl Antonacci Group, "Currently, social media, group Zoom calls and virtual happy hours."

Clara Hartree, West Vancouver, British Columbia: "Phone calls."

Claudia Llanes, Edgewater, FL: "I like attending open houses and conferences such as the Power Women Conference held every year by Biznow."

Dante DiSabato, Naples, FL: "Golf events or other charity events that are going on."

David Welles, Wellington, FL: "During COVID, the use of Zoom calls with my associates from around the country has helped establish new and lasting relationships that will lead to new business opportunities."

Debra Johnston, Atlanta, GA: "Social Media, particularly Instagram."

Doug Labor, Steamboat Springs, CO: "From email and online forums to picking up the phone, there are many ways to network. My favorite way is the forums. They offer a variety of topics and allow many brokers from different perspectives to give their insight and opinions."

Elisa Linton, Humble/Kingwood (Houston metro area), TX: "Virtual Events are more common. In-person events in small groups where social distances are practiced"

Elliot Bogod of Broadway Realty, Upper West Side, New York City, NY: "Zoom and webinars is a new way of life. LinkedIn is offering ways to connect with like-minded real estate professionals as well as LinkedIn groups. We started our Broadway Realty group that increased to over 700 professionals in a couple of weeks."

Ernie Carswell, West Hollywood, CA: "Price opinion invites to properties preparing to hit [the] market."

Frank D. Isoldi, Westfield, NJ: "I love the exclusive networking that Haute Residence offers to its members. It’s always refreshing to brainstorm with like-minded agents."

Jennifer Brilliant, Surfside, FL: "We don't have meetings and events in person as much anymore, so I rely heavily on email and calls with other realtors to discuss new listings, etc."

Jochen Lucke, Highlands, NC: "LeadingRE, Inman conference, one-on-one with brokers in target markets."

Karen Kenyon, Vancouver Island, British Columbia: "Private Facebook groups."

Kathleen Floryan, Jacksonville, FL: "IdealEstate, LinkedIn, various Facebook groups, Virtual Meetings, and one on one phone calls."

KC Martin, Paris, France: "While there are many online tools currently available in the market, personal contact is still the best way to build and maintain personal and professional relationships. Reaching out via phone, Zoom, or occasionally socially distanced meetings proves still that real estate is a people business built on real relationships."

Kelly Ringer-Radetich, Redwood City, CA: "In person, but with Covid, Zoom will have to do, or phone calls.."

Krista Richman, Fort Lauderdale, FL: "Project events are an excellent way to learn about the project itself and meet new faces in the industry."

Leslie S. Modell of the Leslie S. Modell Team, Midtown East, New York City, NY: "During this period where we can't get together socially, we get on Zoom panels together, team meetings, phone calls, and send out e-blasts."

Mark Salmon,  South Tahoe, CA: "Professional social media sites."

Nilou Henderson of Henderson Ventures, Charlotte, NC: "Social media. Due to the current climate, I am utilizing social media to network with fellow agents, our community, and our clients."

Roberta Ingletto of RGI Realty, South Miami/Pinecrest, FL: "Smaller events/meetings more on a personal level."

Ryan Knowles, Bahamas: "Instagram."

Sandra Fiorenza, Miami Beach, FL: "Lunches and events."

Scott Goshorn, Brentwood, CA: "Events and masterminds."

Tim Fenton of Blue Zone Realty International, Costa Rica: "I prefer to communicate in live time, either on zoom or on the phone. So much emotion is lost in text or email."

For more, visit dev.hauteresidence.com.

The post How To Network In The Real Estate Industry appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

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Read below for how they see their areas' price activity in real estate.

Alex Min, Lake Tahoe, NV: "Up 30% at a minimum in the last six months."

Alison Melton of The Melton Group, Hilton Head Island/Bluffton, SC: "On average, we are +30% from last year and sales volume is +64% for residential homes."

Bento Queiroz of The Bento Queiroz Group, Southwest Ranches/Weston, FL: "Inventory is shrinking and therefore prices are steadily increasing."

Brian Pearl of the Pearl Antonacci Group, "Median list prices in Boca Raton are up 34.7% from last year in single-family homes."

Catherine Burgess of The Burgess Group, Boulder, CO: "Our area has appreciated substantially since last year."

Clara Hartree, West Vancouver, British Columbia: "[On] average, 10% [up]."

Claudia Llanes, Edgewater, FL: "Prices have increased due to the low single-family home inventory that's currently available."

Dante DiSabato, Naples, FL: "Prices are slightly increased but not as much as you think they would [have]. There is just a lack of inventory and prices will rise here shortly."

David Welles, Wellington, FL: "Prices are up approximately 10-12%."

Debra Johnston, Atlanta, GA: "Going up and continue, estimated 5%."

Doug Labor, Steamboat Springs, CO: "Residential prices in the Steamboat Springs area are up an average of 11% from last year."

Elisa Linton, Humble/Kingwood (Houston metro area), TX: "Increased."

Elliot Bogod of Broadway Realty, Upper West Side, New York City, NY: "Manhattan is the only area not increase will be remembered as years of opportunity in residential real estate. Prices are expected to stabilize before the end of the year and increase after the pandemic is over."

Ernie Carswell, West Hollywood, CA: "Prices are generally up 5-7% for properties under $6 million."

Frank D. Isoldi, Westfield, NJ: "Our market has 1/3 the inventory that we had last year, which is driving our average sales price up across the board."

Jennifer Brilliant, Surfside, FL: "Prices for houses are higher this year. Prices for condos are about the same."

Karen Kenyon, Vancouver Island, British Columbia: "Significantly higher and still trending upwards due to low inventory."

Kathleen Floryan, Jacksonville, FL: "Up."

KC Martin, Paris, France: "Prices are generally holding or up, depending on the area. Buyers are looking to make moves in real estate now with interest rates low, Covid uncertainty, and looking to diversify their investment portfolios, which includes real property."

Kelly Ringer-Radetich, Redwood City, CA: "We have seen prices, in some areas, climb, and in other areas [stay] steady."

Krista Richman, Fort Lauderdale, FL: "Prices are going up, inventory is going down!"

Laura Livaudais, Asheville/Western North Carolina: "Simply put - the prices are higher. The average list price ($397,829) was 20% higher while the average sales price ($390,696) was 23% higher. You can readily see from those prices that Asheville maintains its status as “recognizably affordable.”

Mark Salmon,  South Tahoe, CA: "50% higher."

Nilou Henderson of Henderson Ventures, Charlotte, NC: "Steadily increasing. Some areas have seen an increase of almost 20% in the last year. I expect the increases to remain as inventory remains low."

Leslie S. Modell of the Leslie S. Modell Team, Midtown East, New York City, NY: "The prices I would say, on the luxury side (over $3 million), are off about 10-20%."

Roberta Ingletto of RGI Realty, South Miami/Pinecrest, FL: "Maybe 20% higher. It's crazy how demand has gone up - first homes, now condo sales are picking up as well."

Ryan Knowles, Bahamas: "Similar [to last year]."

Sandra Fiorenza, Miami Beach, FL: "Home prices have increased by 30%. The number of listings has decreased by 50% and inventory is very small."

Scott Goshorn, Brentwood, CA: "Up. However, the market was on fire about this time last year... then Covid threw a bucket of cold water on it."

Tim Fenton of Blue Zone Realty International, Costa Rica: "Prices are up approximately 11%."

For more, visit dev.hauteresidence.com.

The post Real Estate Prices Are Up In U.S. Markets And Abroad appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

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Alison Melton of The Melton Group, Hilton Head Island/Bluffton, SC: "ZOOM, FaceTime, WhatsApp, virtual showings are all the rage!"

Bento Queiroz of The Bento Queiroz Group, Southwest Ranches/Weston, FL: "Instagram for sure!"

Brian Pearl of the Pearl Antonacci Group, "Zoom and Matterport."

Catherine Burgess of The Burgess Group, Boulder, CO: "Apple Watch, and a weekly newsletter"

Clara Hartree, West Vancouver, British Columbia: "Instagram."

Claudia Llanes, Edgewater, FL: "I'm definitely using Instagram a lot more in order to strengthen my brand presence digitally. This has helped me generate leads at a volume I did not think was possible."

Dante DiSabato, Naples, FL: "More online signing and contract forms. Not enough time in the day to write out the contract and scan for signature. this just streamlines the process to get a contract out fast in an ever-changing market."

David Welles, Wellington, FL: "Zoom calls with clients for updates and referrals and Matterport for my significant listings."

Debra Johnston, Atlanta, GA: "Mostly analytical tools that were not previously available."

Doug Labor, Steamboat Springs, CO: "Facetime. With our market so active, and it being a resort/retirement area, buyers need to jump on a listing as soon as possible, and the quickest way to get the property seen is by Facetime."

Elisa Linton, Humble/Kingwood (Houston metro area), TX: "CRM."

Elliot Bogod of Broadway Realty, Upper West Side, New York City, NY: "We use our smartphones to access apps to post updates and changes to listings."

Ernie Carswell of Carswell and Associates, West Hollywood, CA: "Zoom changed our world; Google Mapping."

Frank D. Isoldi, Westfield, NJ: "Every listing now has a virtual iGuide tour and we are doing more and more personal video tours as well."

Joyce Rey, Beverly Hills, CA: "I would say I use Instagram, YouTube, and publish articles on my blog a lot more often than [in] previous years. Instagram and YouTube are truly two of the top channels for promoting our listings/business!"

Karen Kenyon, Vancouver Island, British Columbia: "Facebook Business page and Instagram."

KC Martin of Sotheby’s International Realty, Paris, France: "My cell phones (plural) are probably my greatest asset in the market today. Staying connected real-time via online meetings, phone calls, video calls, apps, text, and email keeps me in touch and informed and up to date daily."

Kelly Ringer-Radetich, Redwood City, CA: "Active Pipe."

Krista Richman, Fort Lauderdale, FL: "We have been using Zoom for years to connect with international buyers. Now, we use it for our American buyers as well."

Leslie S. Modell of the Leslie S. Modell Team, Midtown East, New York City, NY: "Zoom, Microsoft teams, and digital staging."

Roberta Ingletto of RGI Realty, South Miami/Pinecrest, FL: "Zoom meetings, FaceTime to show properties; social media in general."

Ryan Knowles, Bahamas: "Zoom and WhatsApp."

Sandra Fiorenza, Miami Beach, FL: "Mostly Instagram."

Scott Goshorn, Brentwood, CA: "YouTube marketing."

Tim Fenton of Blue Zone Realty International, Costa Rica: "Definitely Zoom and other video conferencing tools."

For more, visit dev.hauteresidence.com.

The post What Are The Preferred Real Estate Tech Tools For Professionals? appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

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Time and again, we have proven the benefit of using an experienced, licensed real estate professional by earning multiple offers and over list price.  Service, expertise, and a large network are crucial and we combine this with the power of our specialized marketing formula - ultimately yielding a larger return on the home investment.  It also can’t be discounted the necessity of having professional guidance for a many times complicated process." - Lisa Culp Taylor, Tennessee.

"Exposure to the market is key. Any owners selling on their own think that they are saving the commission. Guess what, so does the buyer. Any buyer will deduct the commission. And without the competition brought by exposure to the market, the sellers usually leave tons of money on the table without knowing." - Clara Hartree, West Vancouver, BC.

"A great real estate agent can handle it ALL for you. Staging, showings, negotiations, inspection items -- the list goes on and on.  Most people are surprised to find that the commission amount is negligible compared to the purchase amount when an excellent agent is involved. In my particular market in Southwest Florida, many owners are not living in the area on a full-time basis. In that case, it is especially critical to hire an excellent agent! Check reviews and number of past sales carefully before hiring an agent!" -Angela Lutzi Dellatorè, Bonita Springs, Barefoot Beach, Bonita Beach, FL.

“Homeowners benefit greatly from hiring an experienced realtor when selling because they secure the agent’s expertise in negotiating, marketing, connections and will generally achieve a much higher selling price with shared liability for the transaction.” - KC Martin, Paris, France.

"In most instances, a primary or secondary residence represents one of the most significant assets for a family. Working with a real estate agent not only ensures that a seller obtains the best value for the property but that the entire process is handled efficiently and with little risk. Agents bring years of experience to valuation, negotiations, and marketing. Especially in the current seller’s market in the Sarasota area, the exposure we create often leads to multiple offer situations that, if handled properly, create increased value for sellers." - Joel Schemmel, Sarasota, FL.

"Our clientele demands Kukio Properties’ agents' knowledge of Kukio’s properties and the intricacies of the membership component to safeguard their investment. No other brokerage provides the insight that Kukio Properties brings to their clients." - Jim Schneider, Big Island, HI.

"An experienced agent will get them more money for their home and protect them during the process." - Anna Sherrill, South of Fith, Miami Beach, FL.

For more articles featuring the top real estate agents in luxury markets, visit dev.hauteresidence.com.

The post Selling Your Home With A Real Estate Agent Vs. “For Sale By Owner” appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Photo Credit: Sotheby’s International Realty

For the third and final installment of my three-part series on French country residences outside of Paris, we look again at residences close-by to the “City of Lights” where we can find space, peace, and quality of life amid our “new normal” of living with the coronavirus. Located in the charming small town of Chapet, Ile-De-France, is this exceptionally unique and timeless traditional stone mansion (originally built in 1850). This beautifully renovated property is sophisticated and inviting, fused with a stunning contemporary flair. The best of the old and new are mixed in perfect harmony together in this 5 Bedroom, 8 Bathroom (4 full baths/ 4 partial baths) approx. 3,282 sq. ft. (approx. 305 sq. meters) haven which includes a 2-car garage and a wine cellar/grotto. A mere 20-minute drive from Paris or an hour by train, this country residence is pure poetry that is sublimely and exquisitely French, and affordably well-priced at just under $2M USD. 

Photo Credit: Sotheby’s International Realty

Price: $1.590.000€  / $1,925,872USD

Property ID: G3YZVQ

MLS#: PO2-1275 

5 Bedrooms/ 4 Full Baths/4 Partial Baths

Apporximately 305 sq. meters / approx. 3,282 sq.ft.

For all of your Paris and international real estate needs and for more information, please contact KC Martin, Luxury Broker with Sotheby’s International Realty at 505.690.7192 (press "011" first if outside of the US) or kc.martin@sothebys.realty

KC Martin is the exclusive agent representing the Paris, France real estate market as a member of the Haute Residence Real Estate Network. View all of her courtesy listings here

Photo Credit: Sotheby’s International Realty Photo Credit: Sotheby’s International Realty Photo Credit: Sotheby’s International Realty Photo Credit: Sotheby’s International Realty Photo Credit: Sotheby’s International Realty

The post KC Martin Presents The “Country Residences Of Paris” Series, Part 3 Of 3 appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Follow Glenn Garriff Conversation on Instagram at @ggconservation, and Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ggconservation

This unique offering is real estate and conservation brought together at its finest. An exclusive, non-profit lion sanctuary in Harrismith, South Africa, only 3 hours from the Johannesburg airport, GG Conservation is available for the first time in over a century. GG Conservation is an ethical, non-profit lion preserve in the heart of South Africa where 77 of the world’s most spectacular lions reside, including white lions, along with an abundance of other native wildlife: impala, gemsbok, black wildebeest, bontebok/blesbuck, springbuck, eland, ostriches, red hartebeest, waterbuck, and zebra. Owned by a veterinarian family from the UK for over 100 years, GG is now available for the first time in a lifetime. An incredible property of 856 hectares (apx 2,000 acres) with varying terrain, situated against the picturesque backdrop of the Bakerskop mountain range, while also offering idyllic panoramic views of the Harrismith Platberg mountain range. There are several residential structures on the property comprising 12 bedrooms and 5 baths. The 1,000 sqm (apx 10,800 sqft) main lodge has 5 bedrooms, dining and entertainment rooms, and a 250,000 L infinity pool which overlooks the lion enclosures.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Glenn Garriff Conservation

Our humanity depends on the preservation of such magnificent species for our planet. Offered at for ZAR $75,000,000/$4.55M USD. Ideal for an individual, foundation or family estate trust with philanthropic and conservation values. 

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Glenn Garriff Conservation

Merchandise (including face masks) supporting the lions and GG Conservation can be ordered online at  https://www.cafepress.com/GGLIONS  or visit www.ggconservation.org and make a generous donation today to keep these magnificent lions safe and protected. Your gracious and generous support will make sure these lions are preserved for future generations. 

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Glenn Garriff Conservation

For all of your Paris and international real estate needs and for more information on this lion sanctuary and GG Conservation, please contact KC Martin, Luxury Broker with Sotheby’s International Realty at 505.690.7192 (press "011" first if outside of the US), or kc.martin@sothebyshomes.com

KC Martin is the exclusive agent representing the Paris, France real estate market as a member of the Haute Residence Real Estate Network. View all of her courtesy listings here

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Glenn Garriff Conservation

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Glenn Garriff Conservation Photo Credit: Courtesy of Glenn Garriff Conservation

The post KC Martin Presents A South Africa Lion Sanctuary Available For First Time In A Century appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Our desire to escape from larger metropolitan cities during the coronavirus pandemic to smaller local communities is inspiring an increasing need for us to get out and “just breathe”. Hence, with lockdowns becoming the new normal, getting away for a respite from Paris is no exception. Driving 45 minutes to 2 hours away from a big city brings us a literal breath of fresh air, both physically and mentally. The era of having a “country residence” once a mainstay of bygone days is now once again cherished. Our desire to slow things down and to appreciate the simple things in life with our friends and family, away from city life, is driving this renewed global trend for country residences. For weekend and holiday/summer getaways, owning a country residence allows us to embrace the ultimate sense of joy, optimism, freedom, and inner peace, not to mention adding some diversity to one’s financial portfolio in these turbulent times.

Photo Credit: Sotheby’s International Realty

In my three-part series this week, we will look at three gracious French country residences only an hour or so drive from Paris, our favorite “City of Lights”.

So, how about a castle to start? For those dreaming of something a little bigger and more extravagant than a simple country residence, this exquisite fully-remodeled and divinely pristine castle in Champeaux, France, is the perfect country dream residence. The castle is a mere 45km (approx 28 miles) southeast of Paris, a picturesque drive of about 50 minutes, and only a few minutes from the famous castle of Vaux le Vicomte, situated in a serene setting of 70 hectares (approx 173 acres) of which 18 hectares (approx 45 acres) is a landscaped park, one of the first parks created in France, with 3 lakes that form an island. This fully-remodeled, significantly historic castle is approx 1800sqm (approx 19,375 sqft) and features 10 bedrooms and 7 full baths along with an entrance gallery, 4 reception rooms with all of the original wood-paneling entirely preserved, gorgeous painted ceiling frescos and a caretakers’ accommodation. Your dream castle awaits less than an hour’s drive from Paris! Offered at $17,346,460 EUR / $20,355,000 USD. Castle - 77950 France Sotheby’s Property ID# 8JZJEM, MLS#PO5-275.

For all of your Paris and international real estate needs and for more information, please contact KC Martin, Luxury Broker with Sotheby’s International Realty at 505.690.7192 (press "011" first if outside of the US)  or kc.martin@sothebyshomes.com

Photo Credit: Sotheby’s International Realty

Photo Credit: Sotheby’s International Realty

Photo Credit: Sotheby’s International Realty

Photo Credit: Sotheby’s International Realty

Photo Credit: Sotheby’s International Realty

Photo Credit: Sotheby’s International Realty

The post KC Martin Presents The “Country Residences Of Paris” Series, Part 1 Of 3 appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.