LONDON— Demonstrating that Chinese art isn't the only non-Western market sector coming out of the global economic crisis with a spring in its step, Sotheby’s two-day sale of Islamic art in London ended yesterday with a record-breaking total of £25.3 million ($40.3 million) — even though the combined sell-through rate for the overstuffed auctions was a mere 64 percent by lot. Wednesday's individual “Arts of the Islamic World” sale also set a new high-water mark for a single auction in the field, bringing in £18.3 million ($29 million), surpassing its high estimate by £1 million.   In that 378-lot sale, the top lot was a rare Nasrid ear dagger — so named because of the resemblance its distinctive pommel has to the human ear — from 15th-century Spain that inspired fierce telephone bidding... 10/20/2010

It's a little early to get started on New Year's resolutions but if you are anything like me fitness will probably be on the list. Instead of heading to the gym you can really treat yourself, enjoying a fitness retreat on Paradise Island, Bahamas. One&Only Ocean Club has partnered with acclaimed fitness program Physique 57™ on two exclusive four-night fitness retreats. The weekend retreat includes four nights in the Caribbean's most luxurious resort, two daily Physique classes on the outdoor beachfront pavilion, a gift bag with Physique 57™ DVD set and more. The retreats are scheduled for January 13-17 and May 12-16, 2011. Physique 57™ is an exercise method that uses isometric exercises and orthopedic stretches. Interval training sets incorporate muscle-defining arm exercises, intense ... 10/20/2010

 USA AGENZIE IMMOBILIARI - INVESTIMENTI IMMOBILIARI USA- CASE IN VENDITA USA   CERCA CASE IN VENDITA NEGLI STATI UNITI, SPECIALIZZATI NEL CAMPO IMMOBILIARE IN ARIZONA, CON AFFILIATI IN TUTTI GLI STATI UNITI. PROVVEDIAMO I SEGUENTI SERVIZI: CONSULTAZIONE RICERCA E VENDITA SERVIZIO COMMERCIALISTA APERTURA DI CONTI BANCARI STATUNITENSI MANUTENZIONE IMMOBILI GESTIONE AFFITTI VERSAMENTO AFFFITTI RIVENDITA     CERCA CASE IN VENDITA IN ARIZONA : AZ-HOMEFINDER.COM O CONTATTATECI AI NUMERI , INDIRIZZO E-MAIL QUI' PROVVEDUTI 10/20/2010

CERCA CASA STATI UNITI - INVESTIMENTI IMMOBILIARI NEGLI STATI UNITI - CASE IN VENDITA STATI UNITI     CERCA CASE IN VENDITA NEGLI STATI UNITI, SPECIALIZZATI NEL CAMPO IMMOBILIARE IN ARIZONA, CON AFFILIATI IN TUTTI GLI STATI UNITI. PROVVEDIAMO I SEGUENTI SERVIZI: CONSULTAZIONE RICERCA E VENDITA SERVIZIO COMMERCIALISTA APERTURA DI CONTI BANCARI STATUNITENSI MANUTENZIONE IMMOBILI GESTIONE AFFITTI VERSAMENTO AFFFITTI RIVENDITA     CERCA CASE IN VENDITA IN ARIZONA : AZ-HOMEFINDER.COM O CONTATTATECI AI NUMERI , INDIRIZZO E-MAIL QUI' PROVVEDUTI 10/20/2010

1 Canadian dollar = 0.9964 US dollar Canadian Dollar Matt Horton 480-227-3311 info@thehortonteam.com Canadians Buying in Scottsdale- Canadian Facebook Fan Page  Join us Canadians buying real estate in Arizona – Generic   FREE CANADIAN BUYER’S GUIDE   As of today, the Canadian Dollar is basically PAR again with the US Dollar.   Many Canadians looking to buy in the US and, specifically Arizona, continuously ask themselves, is now the right time? If anyone knew the answer, they would be very wealthy!  The fact is that with all economic indicators fluctuating daily, it is impossible to know.  However, the Arizona Real Estate Market is 45% below what it was just a few years ago.  PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT WHAT YOU READ IN THE CALGARY HEARALD/WALL ST. JOURNAL/ETC. are grouping all of PHOENIX in ... 10/14/2010

10/13/2010

Nassau, Bahamas - Congratulations to Lyford Cay International School (LCIS) senior Issa Saunders who was recently named among the 1,600 outstanding Black Americans who are Semifinalists in the prestigious 2011 National Achievement Scholarship Program based in the United States of America.   In addition, Issa has been named a Commended Student in the 2011 National Merit Scholarship Competition, placing among the top 5% of more than 1.5 million students who entered the competition by taking the 2009 preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.  Issa has been a student at LCIS for six years and, is not only achieving academic excellence, she is the President of the Interact Club - an organization that plays an important role in community service, both locally and abroad – a... 10/13/2010

Traveling Duos Book by Dec. 1 for a Free Sky-High Ride to The Bahamas NASSAU, Bahamas, Sept. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- When falling leaves and cooling degrees spawn an itch for the sunny side of the street, the Islands Of The Bahamas offer up the season's hottest antidotes. Back by popular demand, The Bahamas' most successful promotion of all time offers travelers booking by Dec. 1, 2010 the opportunity to receive free companion airfare or an instant air credit up to $300 for bookings of four or more nights, allowing for an affordable way to still the winter chill. Choose from more than 40 resorts and hotels throughout Nassau/Paradise Island, Grand Bahama Island,  The Abacos, Cat Island, Harbour Island and The Exumas, just to name a few. The offer is valid for travel now through June 30, 2011,... 10/13/2010

A total of thirty six boats competed this past weekend on Montagu Bay in Nassau in the championship fleet of the 2010 Bahamas Opti National Championship. Sailors coming from Nassau, but also from Long Island, Abaco, Freeport, Governor’s Harbour, Eleuthera and Harbour Island, Eleuthera. Three races were sailed on Saturday in light wind conditions and four races were completed on Sunday in 8 to 11 knots winds. Fourteen year old Daniel Gibson from Nassau was crowned Bahamas Champion 2010. Daniel sailed consistently, finishing among the top six sailors in all races except for a seven place in race number two. This is the first time he is awarded the Geoffrey Holowesko Trophy. Congratulations Daniel! Finishing second of the regatta, Spencer Cartwright from Nassau and third, Tyler Cartwright ... 10/13/2010

GENEVA — Sotheby's says it will auction a rare pink diamond next month that could fetch up to $38 million. The auction house says the "fancy intense pink" gem is being sold by an unidentified private collector and was last on the market 60 years ago. Sotheby's says the 24.78 carat diamond has a classic emerald cut with gently rounded corners. The company says the stone has a flaw unnoticeable to the naked eye but may be graded internally flawless after re-polishing. Sotheby's estimated Monday that the diamond will sell for $27-38 million. The diamond went on exhibition worldwide starting in Hong Kong on Oct. 2 before going up for auction Nov. 16 in Geneva. http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jA_-0ImmzVRktiPdrWsce8fRH9ZAD9ILNUC00?docId=D9ILNUC00 10/13/2010

October 5, 2010 -- Bavaro/Punta Cana Dominican Republic FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Caribbean Coast Properties and Punta Cana Lifestyles Real Estate announce the launch of combined sales efforts to support their strategic direction and valued customer base, a company media statement announced on October 1, 2010. The two local real estate companies will combine their sales operations and real estate services for the local Bavaro and Punta Cana areas. “Our agencies have complementary strengths,” said Jocelyn Irizarry, founder of Punta Cana Lifestyles Real Estate. “The opportunity to bring together the agent talent, marketing resources, and industry and community connections of our two agencies is very exciting.” Joe Anselmo is founder of Caribbean Coast Properties, a Brokerage and Consulting Co... 10/08/2010

Koldo Mirena Ucedo joins Punta Cana Lifestyle Real Estate as Marketing and Managing Partner. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 3, 2010 -- Punta Cana Lifestyle Real Estate (www.puntacanalife.com), a leading Resort and Vacation Homes Real Estate Agency in the Bavaro and Punta Cana areas of the Dominican Republic, today announced the new addition of a partner, to expand its global presence and sales efforts. Koldo Mirena Ucedo joins Punta Cana Lifestyle Real Estate as Marketing and Managing Partner. Koldo Mirena Ucedo, will assume the role of Marketing and Managing Partner of Punta Cana Lifestyle Real Estate, effective immediately. In this role, he will be responsible for the company's Marketing operations, specifically in the Spanish and Latin American Markets, which include coordinating with... 10/08/2010

Sitting in my office the other day I received an inbound inquiry from the switchboard.  It was a prospective purchaser that was relocating from one of the "family islands" and wanted to see a home listing we had.  As usual, I asked some qualifying questions to get a feel for the prospect's needs.  After getting satisfactory answers to my battery of questions I asked the most important question of all, " Will you be financing your purchase and have you been pre-qualified at the bank for a loan?"  You would have thought I asked the lady how much she weighed (which is a question that should never part your lips unless you are a physician)!  Immediately following the uncomfortable silence on the other end of the phone, she proceeded to tell me that she owned other property and that qualifyi... 10/05/2010

Are YOU Sitting on the Fence? "It doesn't matter which side of the fence you get off on sometimes.  What matters most is getting off. You cannot make progress without making decisions."     ~     Jim Rohn   Don't be a chicken!  Visualize your goals.....Concentrate on one.... Aim high....Develop your strengths.... Give more than you recieve..... and most of all.......DO WHAT YOU LOVE!       09/26/2010

Truly a Great Experience ....Go to Island Harbour which is around a mile away from 7 Palms Villa. Park by the pier...walk out on the pier and wait a water Taxi will come pick you up and take you to Gorgeous Scilly Cay..  all of about 300 yards from the pier.   Scilly Cay     Boat Ride to Scilly Cay There you can get one of Scilly Cay's famous Rum Punch .....  Pick out you Lobster and they will grill it for you.   Lunch at Scilly Cay Anguilla What a great lunch !!   They even have a Caribbean Band playing....... World Class Scilly Cay truly a Very Rare find !! Anguilla one of the best kept secrets of the Caribbean Enjoy a week at 7 Palms Villa Rest, Relaxation Next   I'll give you some Restaurants and more ! Dinner  at  Anguilla Villas .....7 Palms Villa Let me know your thoughts on Ang... 09/25/2010

People say ….Where is Anguilla ?   Anguilla is in the Caribbean …Just seven miles North of Marigot , St Martin..or just 25 miles North of St Barts. But anyone that get’s to Anguilla will say the beaches are incredible…over 33 beaches to choose from .  Shoal Bay beach was picked one of the Top 25 Beaches in the World Could this be Adventures in Paradise? Anguilla Shoal Bay Glass Bottom Boat Junior’s Glass Bottom Boat at Shoal Bay……… Shoal Bay   How about a massage at Shoal Bay? Wonder what they are doing back at the office? After the beach .. I need a nap at 7 Palms...   Anguilla one of the best kept secrets of the Caribbean Enjoy a week or longer at 7 Palms……. Rest, Relaxation Next   I’ll give you some Restaurants and more ! or Dinner  at  Anguilla Villas …..7 Palms What do you think a... 09/25/2010

Anguilla Lobsters    7 Palms.... Anguilla British West Indies Only 7 miles North of Marigot , St Martin in the Caribbean, is a small island that has been on the lists of many for such things as ....One of the Top Ten Islands in the World, One of the Top 25 beaches, some great places to eat...more on a later blog. For now ....take a look let your thought's and taste buds run wild !! Wanna guess how big the lobster's are? The bottle of wine tells the story of the size of the Lobsters of Anguilla Villas Anguilla Villas Lobster At    7 Palms  Nigel serves Lobsters with smile !!! Anguilla Villas Lobster Dinner Dinner  at  Anguilla Villas .....7 Palms Let me know your thoughts on Anguilla or the Lobsters.... Anguilla Villas Tricia Pearson Robert Twaron 210-860-1775 Originally Posted at: San ... 09/17/2010

A major bank indicated today that the real estate downturn will continue through 2012. The continuing news story is that even though the banks have a glut of REO properties on their balance sheets, they are leaking them out to market carefully so as not to further drive the real estate market down due to too much inventory. This weekend I was speaking with a credit manager of a BMW dealership at a dinner and he gave me a little different perspective for the mix.  His experience is that when people buy cars, even very expensive cars, they are not as concerned with the original price....more so the actual amount of the payments. The intent is not paying the car off, but in driving the car for a few years and then trading it in.  I believe him, because he knows his business and is very suc... 09/15/2010

   Staring from my car window on my way to take the little ones to school, I notice many of the same things that I always do.  One thing in particular has stood out to me and I have made it a point to watch this trend daily in my comutes.  Seeing how I pass BUSCH GARDENS, Tampa's most popular theme park, which is surrounded by budget friendly hotels and sits just a couple miles south of USF, I notice the pedestrian traffic, as always, crossing from every which way on heading for a funfilled day at the amusement park.  Having lived in Germany for 6 years and having the oppurtunity to play international sports, I did a great deal of traveling throughout Europe. I can spot a European family in an instant.  The thing that sticks out to me all year round is this, no matter what time of year ... 09/13/2010

One of the most satisfying aspects of the real estate business is that no two days are the same and each day presents us with new opportunities to learn and become more skilled at our craft!  I had an instance last week which illustrates this point perfectly! I was contacted by a colleague that had a prospective purchaser who was interested in viewing several of my listings.  One of the personal policies I have committed to is not only do I qualify buyers and sellers, but I am equally as diligent in making sure that other agents also do their jobs and qualify their buyers properly.  In my discovery, the agent confirmed that the prospect was qualified for up to $400,000 and that she had confirmed this with the prospect's loan officer at the bank.  In my mind, that was good enough for me ... 09/13/2010