High-end homes have to be promoted onto the market like a new products, Tom Landry, a Realtor in Portland, told the Maine Public Broadcasting Network.

Indirect marketing done by offering such properties for private events or photo shoots to raise their profiles is becoming more common in Maine.

“When we first launched this property we contacted some of the local magazines to offer the property up as a destination photoshoot area for them, if they had celebrities in town, etcetera,” Landry said. “We were actually taken up on that by Portland magazine, and they used the roof on their cover shot, and they overlaid one of their celebrities onto that cover shot.”
The magazines apparently attract the attention of high-end buyers, who must like seeing their future homes looking all sexy in a photo shoot.

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San Antonio, TX (PRWEB) June 26, 2010 — One of downtown San Antonio’s most iconic and best-loved hotels is about to get even better! Beginning in mid May, the Hyatt Regency San Antonio hotel will undergo a $20 million makeover that will preserve the rich history of this landmark hotel, while recreating it to achieve a modern “Urban Lodge” ambience.

“This is more of a re-creation than a renovation,” explains the San Antonio Riverwalk hotel’s General Manager Don McDaniel. “Our hotel has been an integral player in San Antonio’s hospitality market for 28 years. The design team was challenged to enhance the product to last another 28 years and more. I am confident our long time customers will be thrilled with the results.”

A Two-Part Project
The renewal of the city’s first atrium hotel will take place in two parts, in order to have minimal interruption to the daily operations.

The first phase of the San Diego hotel renovation will involve closing the hotel for six days in mid-May, for the demolition of the porte cochere, the lobby floor and the River Terrace Bar.

When the hotel reopens later in May, the registration area will be temporarily relocated to the first floor Garden Terrace. Chaps Restaurant will continue to operate as usual with its normal offerings until the start of phase two.

The second phase is scheduled to begin in early August and will again involve closing the downtown San Antonio hotel for six days for demolition. When the doors reopen, near the end of August, the new lobby and check-in area will be ready for business and a brand new Einstein’s Bagels (the only one in the downtown area) is scheduled to be up and running.

The back half of the lobby and a newly branded restaurant are scheduled for completion by mid-November.

Outward Appearances
In order to create a sense of “arrival” for the San Antonio Riverwalk hotel’s guests, the exterior of the hotel will become more visually appealing. Sidewalks on both sides of the streets will be upgraded and the Porte Cochere will be enhanced with weathered steel and wood slat canopies, wood slatted screens, and comfortable seating areas. A large glass wall will open up the Porte Cochere to the lobby, for continuity of space, and the addition of a separate door to the new restaurant will allow diners access to the restaurant and bar without going through the hotel’s main entrance.

On the River Level, the hotel’s original landscape architects from 1981 have been commissioned to revitalize the planting area with formal groupings of lush greenery. Adding sparkle to the area, the concrete walkways along the Paseo del Alamo will be enhanced with a Terrazzo-type surface for a more authentic aesthetic. As a finishing touch, the existing water feature will be resurfaced to more closely resemble a natural hill country river.

An Inside Job
“The lobby is going to be amazing,” describes McDaniel. “We want to create an impact, but with materials that uniquely represent a San Antonio influence.”

A color palette of warm, natural tones will beautifully compliment the extensive use of wood and glass throughout the area. Latté colored marble tiles will make up the lobby floor and the hotel ceilings will be sheet rocked to a smooth finish.

The front desk will be replaced with Walnut and white Persian marble “pods” that allow the agents to easily come from behind the desk and interact with the guests. The elevator banks will feature a granite surround and wood wainscoting and “jewel box” elevators will replace the “bullet” style currently employed.

The lobby will be filled with open spaces, which make it possible for the Hyatt Regency to take a non-traditional approach to the artwork being commissioned to fill it. Two large, square, woven leather panels, in walnut frames, will protrude slightly from the wall behind the front desk, while a branch sculpture suspended from a large wooden frame will hang in front of an original hammered concrete wall.

One of the greatest art installations will be an oversized Gini Garcia glass sculpture that will hang from the ceiling over the lobby seating area. It is a stunning piece, in neutral hues, that the artist was commissioned to create specifically for this project.

The new River Terrace Bar promises to be a work of art in itself, with a 55-foot granite bar and breathtaking views of the San Antonio River. Located in the heart of the hotel, it can be admired from any angle of the lobby. “We are confident it will be the next hot spot on the river,” says McDaniel proudly.

A Commitment to Continuity
Hyatt has always been such an important part of the Riverwalk landscape and this “rebirth” of the beautiful hotel will continue in that tradition. Having been awarded the AAA Four Diamond rating for the past 28 years, Hyatt Regency San Antonio is known for quality and attention to detail and amenities - value which will never change.

“By enhancing our existing space, we are simply keeping up our commitment to driving business to the beautiful downtown Riverwalk area by positioning ourselves as a premier destination hotel that will draw both locals and tourists,” assures McDaniel.

About the Hyatt Regency San Antonio
Hyatt Regency San Antonio is one of the Alamo City’s most luxurious downtown hotels. The AAA Four Diamond property is uniquely situated on the famous San Antonio Riverwalk with a premier view of the historic Alamo, connecting two of the city’s top destinations through the hotel’s 16 story atrium lobby. Guests can enjoy unsurpassed Hyatt service and amenities from swimming in the heated rooftop pool to indulging in the pampering services of the DASA spa or exercising in the 24-hour Stayfit gym. Texas style cuisine and stylishly chic guest rooms make the Hyatt Regency one of San Antonio’s premier destination hotels. For more information and reservations, visit www.hyattregencysanantonio.com or call 210.224.1234.

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For the original version on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/06/prweb4189134.htm

South Florida is entering its fourth year of a property slump. Places sell for about half of what they brought three years ago. The retail building across the street is half empty. Signs are everywhere: “Office for rent.” “Ocean front lot for sale.” “Commercial space available.” Here in Delray Beach, the sun is shining. The grass is growing. Waves caress the shore. But our hotel is nearly empty. Many restaurants on Atlantic Avenue are closed. The streets are so quiet the city seems like a ghost town. Then again, it’s so hot and sweaty, even the ghosts wilt.

But the ghosts talk:

“There was nothing languorous about the atmosphere of tropical Miami during that memorable summer and autumn of 1925,” wrote Frederick Lewis Allen in 1931. “ The whole city had become one frenzied real-estate exchange. There were said to be 2,000 real-estate offices and 25,000 agents marketing house-lots or acreage…the city fathers had been forced to pass an ordinance forbidding the sale of property in the street, or even the showing of a map, to prevent inordinate traffic congestion.”

The boom of the 1920s came to an end in 1926. Henry S. Villard, reported what he saw two years later:

Dead subdivisions line the highway, their pompous names half-obliterated on crumbling stucco gates. Lonely white-way lights stand guard over miles of cement side-walks, where grass and palmetto take the place of homes that were to be… Whole sections of outlying subdivisions are composed of unoccupied houses, past which one speeds on broad thoroughfares as if traversing a city in the grip of death.

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London (PRWEB) June 13, 2010 — From luxury holiday homes and villa vacations, to yachts, houseboats and even exotic tents, travelers are gravitating toward specialty vacation properties that meet their unique interests and needs. To cater to this segment of the luxury travel market, www.luxuryvillafinder.com, an emerging player in luxury vacation rentals and villa advertising, is launching a robust, online destination for the world’s most sought-after specialty rentals that truly promise the experience of a lifetime.

“Luxury Villa Finder is where dreams and destination properties meet,” said Sarah Sullivan, representative. “We help travelers find villas and holiday lets that allow them to get away and experience the globe’s most exciting regions from a gorgeous and gracious home base, in the style of an ‘insider.’ Prestige vacation rentals are ideal for singles, couples and families who have refined tastes and appreciate comfortable cultural immersion and unique experiences. These are travelers who are interested in venturing away from your typical hotel and resort vacations in order to explore something new and different,” said Sullivan. “Some guests opt for a property with staff and extra services, like a private chef and concierge. This is when a villa vacation goes far and above what one could experience in a typical hotel setting.”

For vacationers seeking a unique travel experience packed with style, unparalleled comfort and privacy, villa holidays are edging out leading hotels and resorts as this year’s prize property picks. In support of this trend, Luxury Villa Finder will showcase chic, exclusive luxury villa rentals and pied a terre rentals, all meeting the highest standards for location, décor, amenities, charm and luxe. The site will feature worldwide properties in Africa, Asia, Europe, North America and the Caribbean, and all property listings will include vivid descriptions, detailed information, plentiful photos and multiple videos.

The site is distinguished by its Advanced Search feature which returns homes meeting criteria based on data which was carefully entered by a meticulous but easy questionnaire process given to advertisers. “We feel both owners and guests are rightly rewarded in savings of time and potential disappointments when a vacation rental advert goes into extreme detail about the home and environs,” said Sullivan. With the site’s free registration option, favorite properties lists can be saved for future reference or e-mailed to friends and family.

The site also showcases small inns, boutique hotels, bed and breakfasts and maison d’hotes with detached suites, separate cottages and villas or else rentable in their entirety for a group.

Luxury Villa Finder welcomes property owners and villa agents seeking a robust online platform to advertise vacation rentals. Advertisers will appreciate the wide variety of unique categories where the home may be placed, ranging from “Professionally Baby-Proofed,” to “Wheelchair and Disabled Accessible” to “Pet Friendly” and “World’s Most Romantic.” Top 20 Categories offer advertisers the opportunity to be included in an exclusive area listing the most sought-after villa categories, like “Destination Wedding Venues,” “Gorgeous Golf Villas,” “Dreamy Beach Houses,” “Hottest Hotel Villas” and “Honeymoon Hideaways.”

“The site was built in honor of vacationers seeking beautifully situated homes for slowing down, savoring their holidays, and maintaining close proximity with family and friends, ” said Sullivan. “We look forward to hearing back from our advertisers whose guests will hopefully say, ‘The home really helped us connect with the destination. Everything was perfect, we made new friends, we had people over, and the staff treated us royally. It was the best vacation we’ve ever had.’”

About Luxury Villa Finder

Launched in 2010, Luxury Villa Finder is soon-to-be one of the world’s most premiere online destinations for luxury vacation rentals, villa holidays, exclusive honeymoon hideaways, eco-friendly retreats and other luxurious properties. The site offers a user-friendly, web-based solution for vacationers seeking specialty vacation properties that promise comfort, privacy, glamour and an unforgettable experience. For more information, to search properties across the globe or to advertise, visit luxuryvillafinder.com to find luxury vacation rentals.

Contact by email prior to phone call is preferable
Sarah Sullivan
Luxury Villa Finder
+44 (0) 2033 186368 1
Sarah(at)LuxuryVillafinder(dot)com

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For the original version on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/Luxury-Vacation-Rentals/Find-Luxury-Villas/prweb4124104.htm

(Vocus) June 12, 2010 — The home’s spacious floor plan includes 6 bedrooms and 6.5 baths, a home theater room with a 120″ screen, swimming pool, game room, office, 4 car garage, and beautiful winding staircase. The master suite is approx. 1,000 square feet and has a second story balcony overlooking the pool and 100′ dock located just along the Intracoastal Waterway. Information on other amenities and photos can be found at: http://floridaluxuryauctions.com/gallery/index.html

There will also be numerous additional cash prizes awarded as well. Only 300,000 tickets will be sold for this drawing, making the odds of winning a prize amazing. Once the drawing is held, the deed and title to the home will be transferred to the lucky winner (with no mortgage). The lucky winner may also choose a cash prize of $1,500,000 instead of the house.

To enter this drawing and help the Mission raise money for their efforts, you can go to www.raffleflorida.info . Tickets are $30 each.

The 2nd Annual House Raffle benefits Women in Distress, Shepherd’s Way, Coalition to end Homeless, and the Mission of St Francis.

About The Mission of St. Francis
The Mission is dedicated in supporting it’s community through helping individuals and charities local and abroad. Relief for the victims of the Haiti disaster is of great concern to us all and The Mission is dedicated to sending support.

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For the original version on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/houseraffle/fathersdaygiftidea/prweb4127824.htm

(PRWEB) June 2, 2010 — The crowning touch at The Retreat, Corona’s most prestigious golf course community, will be unveiled on Saturday, June 26th, as Ryland Homes, the premier Southern California home builder, celebrates the preview opening of Sunset Ridge. This unique hillside collection of distinctive homes features impressive spaciousness, luxurious appointments, gated privacy, resort-style amenities and surprisingly affordable prices starting in the mid $400,000s.

Set atop the highest point in The Retreat, nestled against the Cleveland National Forest and overlooking the famed Champions Club golf course, Sunset Ridge will offer the finest in country-club living, as well as breathtaking views of the course and the Temescal Valley beyond. The neighborhood’s 24-hour guarded entry gate will welcome residents and guests with personal service and a feeling of exclusivity.

“When you live at Sunset Ridge, you’ll be enjoying a lifelong ‘staycation,’” stated Heather Stevenson, vice president of sales and marketing for Ryland Homes Southern California. “It will literally feel like you’ve escaped to a luxury resort, but it’s a destination you’ll never have to leave. And now, the new California tax credit will save you an extra $10,000 on these incredible homes.”

Residential choices at Sunset Ridge will include four imaginatively designed floor plans: an inviting single-story home measuring approximately 2,695 square feet and three spacious two-story designs ranging from approximately 3,583 to 4,244 square feet. Fulfilling the needs of households of all sizes, the new homes encompass three to seven bedrooms, and varying plans take on the added dimension of a super family room and a secluded den. In three plans, added versatility is provided by the option of a private guest suite that’s ideal for overnight visitors or a live-in relative. The largest plan is enhanced by a spacious teen suite and an optional media room.

Appointments of the finest caliber will leave no doubt that Sunset Ridge is in a class by itself. Heading the list are gourmet island kitchens that achieve the perfect blend of style and convenience with granite countertops, beechwood cabinets, walk-in pantries, stainless steel sinks, pull-out Moen® faucets and built-in stainless steel GE® appliances.

Master suites continue the emphasis on elegance with expansive walk-in closets, dual sinks, luxurious oval tubs and large separate showers. Every master suite is exceptionally large, and every plan has been designed to maximize the neighborhood’s scenic views. For added convenience, Residence Three offers the option of a secondary washer and dryer location within the master suite.

Along with a magnificent home, Sunset Ridge residents will be rewarded with a truly spectacular community. The centerpiece of The Retreat is its18-hole Nicklaus Design golf course. A private course that was recently opened to the public, it also features a practice range and putting green. The course is complemented by a 26,000-square-foot clubhouse with dining facilities, a junior Olympic-size swimming pool and a state-of-the-art fitness center with a complete array of cardio, strength-training and flexibility equipment. The pool and fitness center are open to Champions Club members, and everyone is welcome to enjoy the clubhouse’s dining room and bar with their charming fireplaces, or the expansive patio overlooking the championship golf course.

Ryland Homes has been in business for more than 40 years, and in that time, the company has built more than 285,000 homes across the country and financed more than 235,000 mortgages. That says quite a bit about the trust so many families have put in Ryland over the years and how hard the company has worked to earn it. Since 1967, Ryland’s constant aim has been to deliver quality, value and an enjoyable customer experience with every home they build.

To be on hand for the preview opening of Sunset Ridge at The Retreat on June 26th, take Interstate 15 to Weirick Road and drive west on Weirick. Follow the signs to the Champions Club clubhouse. Sales counselors will be available from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Additional information is available by calling Caryn Field-Hector at 951-769-0305 or visiting homebuilders and a leading mortgage-finance company. Since its founding in 1967, Ryland has built more than 290,000 homes and financed more than 240,000 mortgages. Ryland currently operates in 15 states and 19 homebuilding divisions across the country and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “RYL.” For more information, please visit www.ryland.com.

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For the original version on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/06/prweb4075094.htm

The tower, designed by the French architect Christian de Portzamparc, will rise 1,005 feet above 57th Street east of Seventh Avenue, feature striking views of Central Park and house what Mr. Barnett hopes will be 136 of the most expensive and luxurious apartments in the city. A 210-room Park Hyatt hotel is to occupy the first 20 floors, hotel analysts say.

“We’re going vertical in the next three weeks,” said Mr. Barnett, chief executive of Extell Development. Sounding a little like the developer he is one-upping, he said, “We think it’ll be the nicest project ever built in New York.”

The project is the first major construction start in New York since the fall of Lehman Brothers in September 2008, and it is an ambitious, even risky undertaking. Unemployment still hovers at 10 percent in the city, which has only just begun to gain back some of the 150,000 jobs lost during the recession. Not so long ago, the real estate industry was right behind Wall Street and the nation’s automakers in crying for a federal bailout.

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Kansas City, MO (Vocus) May 14, 2010 — Qualified buyers will have the opportunity to purchase any one of five spacious homes, commercial properties or a mountain view building site, all for the fair market value that only the auction format can guarantee. United Country – Supreme Auctions will sell 19 premier properties to the highest bidder during a multi-property auction event on Saturday, June 12, in Scottsdale.

“These properties are not distressed. They are not in foreclosure,” said Maverick Commins, auctioneer and president of United Country – Supreme Auctions. “Our sellers recognize the value of using an accelerated method of marketing – in other words, an auction – to sell their property. What does this mean for buyers? It means they have the opportunity to see a variety of available homes and income properties and determine their current fair market values through the bidding process. In times like these, an auction is the best way to establish what real market value is.”

Conducted by Commins, the auction will take place on Saturday, June 12, at The Westin Kierland Resort and Spa, located at 6902 E. Greenway Parkway in Scottsdale, Ariz. Registration for the event will begin at 12 p.m., and the auction will take place at 2 p.m. In addition to on-site bidding, buyers also have the option of live internet bidding at www.proxibid.com/supremeauctions.

The event features 19 properties located in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area. Highlights include a custom five-bedroom home located in a gated community near the Biltmore Hotel, a completely remodeled luxury home in Paradise Valley with guesthouse casita and a hilltop estate on five acres in Fort McDowell. The auction portfolio also features a fully-occupied office building in Scottsdale and a historic bank building with large showroom in Phoenix, as well as several other premier residential and income/investment properties.

Property details, photos and terms and conditions can be found at www.Supreme-Auctions.com.
United Country – Supreme Auctions can be contacted at 866-929-2243 for additional information or property showings.

About United Country
United Country Real Estate is the largest fully integrated franchise network of conventional real estate and auction real estate professionals in the United States. Based in Kansas City, Mo., the company has been an innovator in real estate marketing since 1925. United Country supports nearly 650 offices across the U.S. and in Costa Rica with a unique, comprehensive marketing program that includes one of the largest portfolios of property marketing web sites (more than 1,000 separate sites), seven proprietary real estate catalogs with a cumulative distribution of 1.5 million, an extensive, current buyer database and national advertising of properties to more than 90 million potential buyer prospects a week. United Country has been recognized by Dun and Bradstreet’s AllBusiness.com as the top U.S. real estate franchise, the Wall Street Journal as a top 1 percent franchise and Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500® as a top 100 global franchise.

For more information:
Maverick Commins
United Country – Supreme Auctions
866-929-2243
www.Supreme-Auctions.com

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For the original version on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/luxury/auction/prweb4005204.htm

(PRWEB) May 12, 2010 — Ashton Woods Homes, a premiere builder of eco-friendly and energy-efficient new homes, today announced the pre-sales availability of new townhomes to the Lewisville Metroplex.

Established in Dallas, TX in 1989, Ashton Woods builds high-performance homes in growth communities in Dallas, Atlanta, Houston, Phoenix, Orlando, Tampa and Raleigh.

Located in Lewisville, Rockbrook Place brings the newest in Townhome design and technology to the Metroplex; with exciting features such as stone elevations, carriage style garage doors, an abundance of natural lighting, and the feel of single family living. Amenities include a community pool. In addition, multiple green belt/open spaces are located throughout the community which helps provide a feel of openness and Rockbrook is conveniently located next to all major highways, the Vista Ridge Mall and multiple shopping centers and offers a wide variety of restaurants.

The new Rockbrook eco-friendly townhomes are Energy Star and Environments For Living (EFL) compliant. This assures homeowners with savings as much as 45% on their annual utility bills. Coupled with homebuyer incentives from Ashton Woods and with renewed interest from new homebuyers, these remaining new townhomes are expected to pre-sell quickly.

The spacious 3 bedroom, 2 storey homes range from 1,803 – 1,921 square feet, include 2 1/2 bathrooms and are competitively priced from $159,900 – $173,900.

“This is a prime opportunity for families and individuals that are currently renting,” stated Brian Kopp, Vice President of Sales & Marketing. “With new interest rates and new homes prices as they are right now, moving up to the next level for first time buyers has never been better,” said Mr. Kopp.

“In fact,” added Mr. Kopp, “For about $1,000 per month on principle and interest, you could own a brand new Rockbrook Place townhome.”

Presales of Rockbrook Place townhomes are now available and a Grand Opening of the new models is set for late May 2010.

To get to Rockbrook Place: >From I-35E, take FM 3040/Round Grove Rd. west to Rockbrook Drive. Turn right, heading north to Oak Bend Drive. Turn right onto Oak Bend, then turn right onto Salado Drive to enter the community. Turn right on Dublin. The model home address is 356 Dublin Street, Lewisville, Texas 75067. Model hours are Tuesday to Saturday 10am - 6pm and Sunday/Monday 12:00 noon - 6pm.

Interested buyers should call 972-316-8717 or visit the Rockbrook Place community or the Ashton Woods website at www.ashtonwoodshomes.com.

About Ashton Woods Homes
Ashton Woods Homes is a subsidiary of the Great Gulf Group- a fully-integrated collection of companies that spans the entire real estate spectrum in North America – from land acquisition and development to the design and construction of master planned communities. For more than 40 years, Ashton Woods has built a solid reputation for building comfortable, energy-efficient, high-performance homes and was rated # 1 in Quality and # 3 in Customer Satisfaction for the Dallas Division in the 2009 J.D. Power Survey for New-Home Builders. Ashton Woods Homes has received many coveted local, regional and national awards. For more information, visit www.ashtonwoodshomes.com.

Contact:
Brian Kopp, VP Sales and Marketing for Dallas Division
Ashton Woods Homes
Phone: 972.301.6600
Email: bkopp(at)ashtonwoodshomes(dot)com

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For the original version on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/dallas/new-homes/prweb3989904.htm

“Savannah has been very, very good to me,” Bone said.

Auctions are an increasingly popular way to move local high-end real estate. Bone’s company alone has presided over four luxury condo auctions since late October 2009 and will sell a few more local properties as part of a large auction next month at The Cloister on Sea Island.

Another large auction company, Grand Estates, has helped unload several pricey properties in the past year, including the Walker Mansion on Forsyth Park and a waterfront estate on the Grove River.

None of the recent high-end auctions were on “distressed” properties — those in danger of foreclosure or already bank-owned.

More and more owners are turning to auctions because of the hint of a housing recovery. A rebound’s early stages are a traditionally good time for auctions as luxury property owners saddled for months with high-end property finally see some demand.

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