Philip Weiser was hosted by Haute Media Group Cofounder Seth Semilof. Watch their conversation below.

The topics included Philip Weiser’s illustrious career from working in the hotel industry abroad, joining the highly esteemed Carlton International team, and his eventual ascendancy in French and international luxury real estate.

Philip Weiser has worked within the luxury hotel and hospitality industry for decades in London before transitioning to real estate when he and his young family settled in France. Weiser has held his French real estate license for over 40 years and assisted hundreds of buyers and sellers in the sale and acquisition of luxury homes and villas throughout the French Riviera. Launching Carlton International in 1995, the first of the Carlton International brands, Weiser and the Carlton International team collectively speak 14 languages to cater to an international clientele as a leading estate agent on the Cote d'Azur.

Here are some of the questions and answers from the exclusive interview with Weiser.

Seth Semilof: What made you think of moving to France and getting into real estate? Did you move to France first to do hotels, and then do real estate?

Philip Weiser: Not at all. My pre-Airbnb adventure was very successful. I sold the business and decided that I would move my family into a more international environment in the south of France where we have a good selection of schools with the English language. I was on a trip from Paris to Nice international airport and I sat next to a property developer who had opened the state agency in the town where I was living, and he was about to close the agency. Since I had nothing to do, I said, “I will be happy to see if I can make your agency run.” The Monday following, he forgot it, but he was as good as his word. He took me across the road, introduced me to my new boss, and suddenly I was a real estate. That was in 1982.

SS: Tell us how the business evolved from 1982. Where did you go from there?

PW: We were very successful as brokers as well buying, selling, renovating, and constructing. A lot of money was made at that time and I reinvested all the resources into other projects. The banks were throwing money at this time and in 1992, there was the first Gulf War when Iraq invaded Kuwait. Property prices around the world were heavily affected by that. In Europe, especially because we are closer to North Africa, prices dropped by 50% and interest rates were at 18.6%. I had 50% borrowings and 50% cash, but my properties all lost value of 50%, so I lost everything. It was the end of a glorious 10-year adventure.

SS: How is the real estate changed over the last 20 years? Are people building contemporary homes in the south of France?

PW: The architecture is sort of Mediterranean, with a lot of bay windows and tiled rooms like you have in California. That was the staple that together with traditional homes in the area are the two trends, but in the last five years, the word contemporary has become part of the local architecture dictionary. We never spoke of contemporary architecture. It was modern, but it was never contemporary. Now, we have some magnificent contemporary homes. It is very much the trend today. We must have, at least right now, 10 potential buyers looking for land to build a contemporary home or readymade contemporary homes designed by a local architect they can move straight into. There are very few standardized materials, so the cost of construction in spite of that it is clean, nice, and easy is that it is an expensive item here.

SS: What advice would you give to somebody getting into real estate to be successful?

PW: First is never believe anybody until you have proof of what they are saying is correct whether it is a buyer, seller, colleagues, or other brokers. The second is you need resilience because you have to have face the fact that you cannot win them all. The other self-discipline is being able to get up in the morning, go out, do the job, and stick with it. There is no day off. The last one is that when you are successful, do not spend the money. You may be successful this time. Ultimately, I tell everybody, you cannot sell a house. There are no sales in this job. It is understanding the needs of the buyer.

SS: Do you think your experience, training, and education in the hotel industry is what made you successful? Did you bring that to your real estate company?

PW: Certainly, that aspect played a very important role. A hotel is like a small town. You have lots of people of different nationalities and different characteristics. If you are managing, you have to move the people and the visitors first, not just the staff. All these people have their specific needs, their behaviors, and the way in which they react. If you go to have any peace and quiet managing, I will tell you to have to manage the staff and the guests with a lot of psychology, understanding, and great service.

For more information, please contact Philip Weiser at +33 6 14 34 13 14 or info@carlton-group.com

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

The post Chat With Haute Residence Leaders, Episode 12: Philip Weiser appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Although the region was frequented by Spanish explorers in the 16^th and 17^th centuries, it was not until 1782, when Felipe de Neve arrived to erect the Presidio, that the town sprouted. The Spaniards established a military installation to ward off the quests of the English and Russians, and set up a mission that formed the core of what is today Santa Barbara.

The city might have Spanish roots but it is often compared to what is perhaps the most famed Riviera – the French. “I have not been to the French Riviera,” said Santa Barbara-based real estate agent Chris Palme, “but I have heard the similarities are that the hillside homes are so close to the ocean.” That comes in addition to the mild weather and relaxed lifestyle.

Much like everything else about Santa Barbara, its luxury real estate is nothing but ordinary. With an average listing price tag of $1.5 million, many of the homes here have meticulously white-washed facades and fairytale-worthy red-tile roofs – features that dominate the Spanish Colonial and Mediterranean architectural styles. One majestic abode that exemplifies the charm of the Old World is 2434 Stanwood Drive, a sprawling 4,200sq. ft. villa, whose arched entrance and weathervane-topped tower appear at the end of a leafy gated drive.

2434 Stanwood Drive / Courtesy of Chris Palme

While European sensitivities abound, “a popular architectural style currently is modern,” said Palme. No matter the style, however, Santa Barbara’s residences easily attract with the vistas they afford – a blend of the lush green of the nearby mountains and the serene blue of the ocean. 15 Rudio Road offers sweeping ocean views, that stretch beyond the city and its harbor. The home’s 1920s’ appeal and contemporary appointments make for an ideal retreat. Another benefit the residence has is its proximity to Santa Barbara’s downtown cluster of entertainment.

“Other than the ideal year-round climate, Santa Barbara has an amazing array of world-class music, theatre, and lectures among other things,” said Palme. “That is unusual for a small city.”

Quoting a Santa Barbara local, Palme gushed, “We know how lucky we are not to have to go to Europe to enjoy the Riviera lifestyle. We’ve got a better Riviera right here in Santa Barbara."

Chris Palme is the exclusive agent representing the Santa Barbara, California real estate market as a member of the Haute Residence Real Estate Network. View all of his listings here.

The post Chris Palme Traces The Allure Of The American Riviera appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.