Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Luxury Naples Homes; Consider These 6 Important Topics To Discuss With Your Realtor

By Paul Olsen

Buyers who are searching for Naples luxury homes will want to consider some important factors before arriving upon a final decision. Once the facts are separated from fiction, a buyer of Naples homes will discover why southwest Florida is currently considered the top tropical paradise in the mainland U.S. Buyers who are equipped with knowledge of the 6 most important design elements as well as other relevant southwest Florida lifestyle topics, will be positioned to make the best buying decisions.

Buyers armed with knowledge about the 6 must-know design elements will be in a better position to see beyond a luxurious home's external beauty; buyers will be more apt to pick a Naples home that will offer better protection of assets and year round comfort.

So, the truth is simply this; despite hurricanes, summer temperatures and native wildlife species, it is possible to luxuriously thrive in a mainland U.S. tropical paradise. It is not necessary to live in fear and choose congested or cold non-tropical regions instead.

Consider this myth: You are powerless against a hurricane. Here is the reality. Hurricane Charley hit SWFL in 2004. Experts actually consider it to have been much more powerful than Hurricane Katrina. Despite this, it is important to note that buildings which complied with updated codes remained intact. In truth, design elements do make a difference

Another myth is about southwest Florida summers. It is often though that summers are hotter in Florida than other areas of the country; e.g. the U.S. northeast.

Many more northern areas of the United States actually summer with worse temperatures and higher humidity than experienced in southwest Florida. Admittedly, the sun's rays are more direct in Florida, so people must take adequate protection to prevent the proverbial vacationer tan. Because Florida is a peninsula, it also experiences cooling winds; these are felt as balmy breezes in southwest Florida.

Design elements will make a huge difference in the way you experience this tropical area.

Buyers for luxury Naples homes or a Port Royal home may often encounter well-meaning Realtors who have little or no knowledge about the housing design elements that are needed for southwest Florida. It is important that buyers do not accept insufficient answers from Realtors who do not understand the gravity of getting the design elements right.

The right basic design elements in a home will address a buyer's safety and lifestyle concerns. It is worthwhile asking your Realtor some basic questions when you are searching for your luxury Naples home in paradise. Here are some questions: How important is roof style? Does it matter which direction the house faces? What insulation is the best to use? Is wallpaper a no-no? What design elements influence energy efficiency? What design elements help secure the home during a storm?

The reality is simply this: design elements do exist to help your home withstand Force 5 hurricanes. If you have these in your home, you are in a position to have greater peace of mind. After all, hurricanes are tracked and warnings are issued in advance. There is no advance warning in areas that are prone to earthquakes such as California or areas prone to flash flooding as in the Mississippi delta regions. With advanced warning, you can leave the area, knowing your home has the highest probability of being secure. With the proper design elements, your peace of mind, comfort and ultimate enjoyment of southwest Florida will be heightened.

A summary of the questions are presented next.

Is wallpaper a no-no?

What design elements help to make a home more energy efficient?

Other than hurricane shutters, what are the design components that help a home withstand a tropical storm?

Design element questions will give buyers of luxury Naples homes the leverage to negotiate better deals and help them to pick a home that is not only beautiful but safe and comfortable as well.

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Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Information For People Wanting To Get Their Own Theater At Home

By Frederick Rice

Anybody that has got a Home Theater knows that it is important for themselves and their guests to be sat comfortably before the movie begins.

Seating is the most important feature that you must consider when thinking of purchasing any sort of Home Theater accessories.

Prices of furniture for Home Theater use can vary drastically depending on where you shop. There can be many different styles and colors of furniture for you to choose from. Try to remain in a budget when you finally choose the furniture that you like the best.

Cup holders are another thing to think about with your seating. Do you want your seats to have cup holders or not?

Some people think that cup holders are just a luxury they do not need, and they can always place their cups on the floor instead. But you just may miss some of the film when you go to pick up your cup for a drink. How would that make you feel?

If price is not an issue for you when it comes to picking out your Home Theater furniture, why not get yourself a cushioned rocking chair. For around the $1250.00 price range you could purchase a Nusuede or Velour rocker. If leather is your favorite choice for a rocker then this would probably be a little dearer maybe around $1800.00.

You may have to consider a larger version of chair if either you or your friends are of a larger build. The Apollo or Aurora Ottoman chairs may be a good idea. You can choose between Leather or Doeskin versions.

If you are on a Budget then the Aurora Ottoman may be a good choice for you at around $370.00. The Apollo will cost slightly more at about $912.00 per chair. The Leather options will however be slightly dearer.

Making the right choice for you is the all important thing in choosing furniture for you Home Theater. The internet has a wide choice of seating for you to choose from.

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Sunday, May 16, 2010

Hints To Locate A High End House

By Connor Sullivan

For those who have made it to the big time, finding a house that matches their standard of living could present a problem that was hard to solve. However, luxury homes are now more popular than ever and there are websites which dedicate themselves to finding wonderful places. Luxury real estate really is for those who do not have to worry about money per se, and the number of this style of house being made available is increasing year by year.

Because of the amount of houses in the high end bracket, many people will sometimes want to buy a place abroad. This used to prove too difficult and was a rather hit and miss affair until someone gathered them all on one site. Nowadays, it is easy to peruse the property websites and find several venues which may be very suitable. But first the prospective buyer must decide on the style and size of the dwelling that they want. Do they want something in the traditional style or will they be opting for the 'smart' places that many are clamoring for?

Traditional places have all the fine design aspects that one would expect in a place that is opulent in character. Fireplaces imported from Italy or marble from several different countries to furnish the bathroom alone may be just the ticket for those with money. Some on the other hand would prefer a high tech house where all the systems from the coffee maker to the security lights are able to be altered and changed from almost anywhere in the world. Then there are those who want to live their lives in the 'green' fashion and would not consider any place that does not adhere to this style. Having solar panels for power and for heating the ubiquitous swimming pools or water saving contraptions to ensure that they are not taking up too many resources are very fashionable these days and most people like them.

Then there is the location which has to be considered for those who are very particular. Many would love to have a beach house somewhere totally exotic while others would prefer a country getaway perhaps in a European country so that they can feel that they are out of the main run of things. Having wealth certainly opens up the choice of property but purchasing the right one can take some time. Those who are world travelers often take a look at what is on offer wherever they go in their business life. But there are people who just do not have the time to be hunting for property all over the place.

For these people then, finding a great website with high end property as its priority must be a good resource to take a look at. Being able to get all the details online to consider if and when they should buy is the only way to go for sure. Once the choices have been narrowed down then it is easier to go take a look at the properties on offer all around the world before making the ultimate decision to purchase.

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Saturday, May 15, 2010

Ideas To Buy The Ultimate House By Using The Net

By Connor Sullivan

Imagine if money was not a problem, and how many of us can say that, and we were trying to search for that wonderful property to call our own. How would we go about looking at what is on the market in several different countries? Well, look no more because there are now websites that deal exclusively with these up market properties exclusively. A luxury home is what we would all love to have of course but finding luxury homes for sale is the easiest that it has ever been.

These websites offer only the biggest and best properties for high income clients and they have quite a good variety for purchasing. But first the purchaser has to decide on what they want in the new place. Some would prefer the older style properties that maybe were owned by someone famous, while others would love to have forward thinking designs that are the coming fashion.

If it is the more traditional style home then probably some of the finest will be available abroad in some other country. Chateaus and lovely multi level homes which were built to last are are much sought after these days. Maybe they have ancient fire places installed or marble bathrooms or other opulent fittings in them. Whatever they have they are very fashionable for those with a high degree of style and who want to show what they have bought. Some have had some renovations of course and will include those things that we cannot do without in this modern day like up to the minute communications and games rooms. Perhaps a private cinema would complete the whole effect and give extra comfort too. Some people would love to own a high tech house with great gadgets and electronics included. Computer operated everything from the curtain closers to the spy in the TV cameras that show what is going on in the house all day and night too. Indeed, some people would not dream of having a place with anything less than the best in all aspects installed.

Once the style of home has been decided upon, the next big question is work out what area is required. The thought of waking up looking at the ocean is what some people love but others would really appreciate being in the country where trees and animals abound. Penthouses are a popular choice for some millionaires since it gives them privacy with the prospect of being able to get back into the business world every day when they leave their apartment.

Whatever is preferred, the choice is virtually endless when the bottom line presents no problem. Finding a website that deals specifically with this style of house then is a great time saver for the busy executive who does not have the time to waste on just looking around. Of course, even the 'greens' have their specific needs to and these are also taken care of in the high end range of houses which must have everything within the ecological set up.

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Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Facts About Celebrity Homes

By Sam Cloud

Each of us does our best to create a space of our own that we can call home and begin to furnish and decorate it a way that closely represents both our lifestyles as well as our sense of style. Since the urge can be found in all humans, there's no surprise to find celebrities using their bank balances to do this exact same thing with their bundles of cash. Often they go overboard buying up massive mansions to live in where they can entertain several guests without each of them feeling a lack of privacy.

Many of the best celebrity homes are situated on estates that cover several acres, the houses themselves occupying several thousand square feet. While some have used all that space to recreate a mini paradise for themselves, others have gone ahead and turned their homes into extravagant yet tasteless retreats. Obviously though, it's the best ones you'll want to hear about.

Afternoon TV queen, Oprah has a massive 23,000 sqft mansion that sits on a sprawling 42 acre lot that she's named Oprah's Hearst Castle. While the landscape includes a man-made lake filled with rare species of fish, and a Montecito sandstone brick driveway, the house itself is a six bed, 14 bath affair that also includes a home theater and ten different fireplaces. Winfrey's home is situated in Santa Barbara, CA.

The Tudor-style manor that Goldie Hawn and her husband Kurt Russell owned temporarily in Vancouver, Canada is next on this list. The famous couple shifted in to be close to their son who was making an entry into the world of professional hockey. The massive home came with eleven fireplaces, an entrance hall with two dens, a kitchen, a fireplace, a yard and a coach house, a huge living space for formal occasions, a dining room, a dressing room with the master suite, a conservatory, a gym, a theater and five bedrooms.

Let's now head to Laglio in Italy, the small town where George Clooney owns a stunning villa with twenty-five rooms, a pool, and a garage large enough to house Clooney's many motorbikes. He claims to love the villa a lot spending as much of his free time there entertaining the likes of Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas. The villa has also been used to film a few scenes for Ocean's Twelve.

Jerry Seinfeld's home since 2000, is also one we ought not to end this article without mentioning. Purchased by Seinfeld from Billy Joel, this mansion is situated in New York's East Hampton. Seinfeld paid a whopping $32 million for this Tudor mansion built on the waterfront. Set on 14 acres, the home consists of three buildings that together contain 24 rooms, 8 baths (and an additional 5 half-baths), pools both indoors and outdoors, a bowling alley, a gym, a tennis court, a music room, a cottage for guests, a wine cellar and a smoking bar.

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Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Intelligent Ways To Invest In An Elaborate Lifestyle

By Connor Sullivan

Everyone knows the tales about families and individuals winning the lottery and rushing out to spend every last dime of the money. They build a temporary life of extravagance, but none of their purchases amount to intelligent investing. Once the money has been used to purchase expensive meals, trips, and recreation, it is gone with nothing to show for it. The winners of these big prizes are left in the same condition, if not worse, and they are suffering more. This is also the case for many who inherit large sums of money. Since inheritance comes in the late teens or early 20's, the young adults is focused on how much fun they can have instead of how they can make the money last the rest of their lives. Even though there are investments you can make that allows your wealth to grow while still offering a chance to live the life of a high roller, like luxury real estate, people choose temporary rewards that are flashy and fun. Luxury homes can increase in worth and still be a great way to show off your cash, but there are other investments that achieve the same results.

Consider investing in items for your house that are wise investments but still show of your wealth. Art pieces are a great way to increase personal wealth and personal worldliness. Art collecting could become a hobby, in addition to a means of putting your money in a commodity that will grow over time. It is important you work with a knowledgeable gallery that can help you make the best choices. For instance, you would not choose a random investment firm to buy stocks, and you should use the same caution with art investments. Speak with experienced art buyers to find reputable guidance. Along the way, educate yourself about the wisest investments, and as your collection grows, you will find your eye for great pieces growing on its own.

In addition to art, you can look for business investments that have a shot at making you additional money. These can be risky, and involve many of the same trial and tribulations of investing in stocks.

For instance, you can put your money in a project that involves opening a restaurant and, you could offer them financial backing. If you think something will be a success, you can be the investor and offer financial support for a new business. Imagine funding the hottest new restaurant or nightclub in town. This is a great way to show off your wealth than being a part of the social elite and owning the establishment the hip up-and-comers frequent?.

There are plenty of great investments for wealth that are wise, and if you want indulgence and financial-savvy, it is out there. If you find yourself with riches, have fun, but make wise investment choices.

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Monday, April 12, 2010

Furnished Apartments: Solution For Small And Long Stay

By Adriana Noton

The trend of using furnished apartments over unfurnished apartments or hotels is increasing. Such apartments have all the facilities which you need to feel at home. These apartments are preferred mostly by people who want to stay at one place for more than a week.

Hotels charge rent for a single room on a daily basis and this can turn out to be a costly affair. Whereas, fully equipped apartments charge for the entire apartment, not only for the rooms, on a daily basis. So, more people can live in an apartment. The rent can be equally divided among all the people staying there, and in total this comes out to be cheaper as compared to hotel charges per person.

If someone is moving to a new place for work and needs to rent the place then the apartments which are fully furnished are the best option. You do not have to worry about carrying heavy things like furniture, kitchen accessories etc. To the new place. People can simply move to an apartment with their a few personal belongings and the rest of the things will be already there.

Shifting to fully equipped apartments save time, as a person does not have to pack the things and then put in them in big trucks and then unload at a new place and adjust all the things again! It seems hectic if one has to do all these things whenever they move to new places.

Furnished apartments and corporate housing are better options, even when compared to buying an apartment. A person does not have the stress of buying all the things for a new place like heavy furniture, air conditioner, television etc. An individual can simply carry things of personal use.

Another advantage with service apartments is that the owner looks after the security arrangement. So, if you take the apartment on rate you do not have to worry about overseeing all the security measures.

The kitchen in these types of apartments are usually equipped with the necessary things so that you can cook the food according to your taste instead of calling some restaurant for food. We can be sure that food is hygienic and healthy as it will be cooked at our own place and it also saves money.

Fully or semi equipped apartments are a good solution for people who don't want to stay in one area. A person can explore various places before deciding the final destination. It is also beneficial for people who frequently travel due to work.

A person who has rented the apartment is not responsible for any kind of repairs and can ask the owner to fix the problems. These problems can be regarding plumbing or wiring or some accidental break out. One can be stress free regarding these kinds of repairs.

Furnished apartments have many benefits due to which they are gaining a lot of popularity. You can find such apartments in a wide range of prices. They have varying facilities and are conveniently located, you can choose one which suits your budget and requirements.

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