Julie's Blog

Or . . How to navigate contract-to-closing in today's market. On a recent flight from the Luxury Real Estate conference in Vegas, I sat watching the flights update on the air traffic monitor and realized there are some interesting similarities between flight scheduling and closing contracts.     ...

As an avid high heel fan I would like to raise the discussion as to whether it is acceptable to kick your heels off during business hours.   On extremely busy days of multiple property showings, I have been known to remove my heels to open 20,000 square feet of residence in ten minutes.  On the o...

On a recent SouthWest Air flight to a Who's Who In Luxury Real Estate conference in Las Vegas, I read story about a man with a profession I never knew existed.  Cameron Hughes is a professional crowd pleaser who literally makes a living by getting spectators out of their seats.  Hired by team man...

Not all resort vacations require travel.  Those of us lucky to live and work in Fort Lauderdale need not travel far to experience a bit of stress-relieving decadence.  I've conducted some "back yard" research and discovered luxury weekend vacations are only a coconut's throw away.  Beach side res...

With $48 Million in green energy incentives coming to South Florida, I would like to contribute my two cents to energy conservation: streamlining standby energy in our own homes.  We all have standby energy usage and probably don't even know it.   I did some "green" research on the Internet and l...

To my mind, one of the gifts of a more challenging economy is awareness.  I have become aware of a positive trend in the South Florida luxury real estate market.  I am curious to know how perceptive people are to this good news and if anyone else has some positive input to add.  My personal sale...

 A previous blog of mine cited the U.S. Department of Energy in saying that Floridians spend about 20% less per person on energy than any other state in the country. One reader wondered why. I offered an immediate response, but the question got me thinking.  Why is Florida so energy conscious?  I...

The National Association of Realtors reported a 30% decrease in the sale of second homes in 2008.  In contrast, analysts predict long-term demand for investment and vacation residences remains favorable because of those buyers in their prime years looking for a retirement home.  This may be espec...

 Citizens of the Sunshine State spend less per person on energy than any other state in the country - about 20% less than the national average.  Quote: US Dept of Energy  This recent quote from the US Department of Energy, along with the March announcement by Vice President Joe Biden that the Oba...

I was prompted to write this blog in response to an email from one of the buyers I am currently working with who tells me, "Merely looking at these properties on-line leaves me with more questions than answers.".  Of course, my response is to immediately work through the answers to provide the ba...