Forget drowning out the neighbors. Homeowners today are battling a different kind of noise: the cacophony of pings and dings coming from all the gadgets inside their homes. Internet-enabled, voice-activated “smart” devices have infiltrated homes, making it possible for people to adjust their bedroom temperature, turn on their oven or order a pizza merely by speaking the command. But talking and beeping devices, combined with other noise-emitting items like TVs, phones and iPads, have created a high-tech racket. It’s the opposite of the peaceful retreat many homeowners strive to create. “Homes have suddenly become more ‘live,’ ” says Steve Haas, an acoustical consultant who works in luxury residences. “It emphasizes the need for better control.” Homeowners can try a number of ways to reduce noise. Among the less expensive, simpler options: buying sound-absorbing panels for walls or ceilings, or sound-absorbing curtains or rug pads, and installing them yourself. These panels can be found online for as little as $50. Many window-treatment manufacturers sell noise-reducing shades or curtains for $50 to $300. At the higher end, homeowners can hire an “acoustical consultant,” who will come to your house, evaluate your needs, recommend solutions and help with installation. Such work can cost up to $20,000 per room and include tactics such as special sound-absorbing ceiling plaster, vinyl noise barriers built into walls or ceilings, or noise-reducing ceiling tiles. Other options include adding extra insulation around mechanicals or purchasing furniture with plusher upholstery. One of the biggest problem areas: the kitchen. Not only do kitchens have a lot of noisy gadgets, including newfangled sound-emitting ones like wi-fi-enabled refrigerators and ovens, the sleek surfaces on appliances, countertops and tile floors reflect rather than absorb sound. People also often place their virtual assistants, like Amazon’s Alexa or Google Home, in kitchens. “People want voice activation for what they would normally press buttons for,” says Mr. Haas. “It really does add to the noise level throughout the home.” For clients’ kitchens, he recommends using perforated wood panels to create a decorative ceiling, or acoustical plaster that blends in to ceilings and absorbs sound, costing about $35 to $45 a square foot at the higher end. Sound-absorbing panels on walls also help. Open-plan living areas can also cause noise problems. The open design plus minimalist-style furniture can increase reverberations, which can muddle sounds and make it more difficult to pick out the noises you want to hear, like speech, says Bonnie Schnitta, founder of SoundSense, an acoustical-consulting company based in New York. Adding in devices like Amazon Echo and Google Home, plus televisions, iPads and phones, makes the acoustics in those spaces even more challenging. Some living room fixes Ms. Schnitta recommends include using sound-absorbing fabric in curtains, behind wall-hangings, or under rugs. Another noise-reducing solution: the good old-fashioned door. Mauri Okamoto-Kearney and Terry Kearney sought to block off noise from television, laptops and iPads in the living room of their 2,200-square-foot home in Los Altos Hills, Calif. They had sliding doors installed to block off a portion of the living area behind the kitchen. The all-glass doors have double panes to reduce noise, but can slide all the way open to create a larger cohesive space, depending on what the owners want. “We are specifically trying to avoid the noise and complexity of modern appliances,” says Mr. Kearney. “I don’t want it to be like a car or like my office.” Stephen Atkinson, the architect who worked on the Kearney home, says when he builds homes from scratch, he generally avoids ceilings higher than 16 feet and rooms that span an entire floor in order to reduce acoustical complaints. Homes that don’t follow those guidelines, he notes, often need acoustical fixes and can be a turnoff to home buyers. “When you walk in, you know right away that you don’t want to live there,” he adds. Paul Masi, an architect based in East Hampton, N.Y., who works with acoustics consultants, says he groups noisier appliances like mixers, dishwashers and even some refrigeration in the butler’s pantry. In living rooms or great rooms, he places custom wall tiles layered with sound-absorbing fabric near the ceiling. Reducing the noise from devices is key to a home’s sense of serenity, Mr. Masi says. “When the sound isn’t reverberating or echoing, it gives the sense of a cozier environment.” The post Quieting the High-Tech Luxury Home appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®. via https://www.realtor.com/news/trends/quieting-high-tech-luxury-home/
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Entrepreneur Marc Bell recently relisted his showy, “Star Trek”–themed mansion in Boca Raton, FL, for $34.5 million. This unique property was listed before, in 2014, and it might seem difficult to discern why a fellow multimillionaire didn’t snap up the place then. As it turns out, Bell wasn’t terribly motivated to sell the mansion then. But circumstances have changed, and Bell and his listing agent, Max Kiejdan, are now really ready to make a deal. “Marc constructed and finished the estate in 2006 and meant to sell it before his children attended high school. However, he wasn’t a serious seller,” says Kiejdan, an agent for Bell’s real estate company. “When a prospective buyer approached Marc, he ultimately decided that it was best to wait until his children graduated from high school to minimize any disruption to his children. With graduation now over, Marc would like to construct a new property. He’s an empty nester with different needs.” Much like the flamboyant home he’s trying to sell, Bell has a colorful backstory. In his 20s, Bell founded Globix Corp., a web hosting company. Later, he reinvented himself as a theater producer, staging productions such as “Jersey Boys” and “August: Osage County” and winning two Tonys along the way. He served as CEO of adult website FriendFinder, and once owned Penthouse Magazine. Currently, Bell is focused on his venture capital investment firm, Marc Bell Capital, according to the Sun-Sentinel. About a decade ago, Bell took on a truly ambitious project, the construction of a dream home the likes of which no one has ever seen. Completed in 2006, the 20,000-square-foot, Mediterranean-style home has nine bedrooms, 10 bathrooms, and six half-baths. The quirky mansion features several themes, from the game room filled with arcade classics to the “Star Trek” home theater. The latter comes complete with a USS Enterprise bridge replica, memorabilia museum, bar and lounge, sliding doors that whoosh as you step through them, and “Tribbles,” tufts of fur on the floor, which, according to “Star Trek” lore, were found on Iota Geminorum IV. Other themed rooms include the pirate room with a bed designed to look like a pirate ship, the fairy-tale room, and the game room designed to resemble a World War II–era bunker, complete with sandbags, ammo, and combat helmets. The 1.6-acre property also includes an FAA-approved helipad, an elevator, and a 1,500-bottle wine room. In the Woodfield Country Club enclave, the gated mansion is located on a gated street in a gated community, according to Kiejdan. In case you’re wondering, the furnishings and art collection are not included in the home sale, as Bell’s prepared to create a new environment in which to display his beautiful possessions. “I want to do it all over again,” Bell told the Sun-Sentinel last fall. “My tastes have changed so now I want to do a very different house. It’ll be very high-tech, modern, and display our art properly.” As for who will step aboard and make this out-of-this-world mansion their very own? “It’s a question of the right buyer finding us,” Kiejdan notes. “Star Trek” fandom not required, but is a definite plus. The post Why Hasn’t Anyone Bought Marc Bell’s ‘Star Trek’-Themed Mansion? appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®. via https://www.realtor.com/news/unique-homes/why-hasnt-anyone-bought-marc-bell-star-trek-mansion/ Singer Kelly Clarkson’s real estate holdings just became “stronger.” The hazel-eyed pop star reportedly purchased a custom-built estate in Encino, CA, for $8.5 million, the Los Angeles Times reported. The home, which came on the market in May, appears to have sold for asking price, according to property records. Finished this year, the home is a true hit. It has eight bedrooms and 11 baths in 10,000 square feet of “upscale living” space. Architectural details include soaring ceilings with reclaimed wood beams, and oversize pocket doors throughout the main living areas allow a seamless flow from room to room. According to the listing, the home features “hand-poured custom sinks, artist-commissioned light fixtures, handmade vintage wood-barn doors, and custom-blended brick flooring.” The high-end kitchen is a chef’s delight with three islands, Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances, a La Cornue range, and two dishwashers. The master suite comes with a high-pitched ceiling, fireplace, private patio, sitting area, and walk-in closet. The upscale residence also boasts a home theater, gym, game room, office, wine cellar, and three-car garage. Now that’s something to sing about! The property also comes with a two-level guesthouse, “park like grounds,” a pool and spa, and lounge area with fire pit. This isn’t Clarkson’s first chart topper in the real estate game. The 36-year-old has also “been gone” from her fully renovated estate in Hendersonville, TN. Listed last year for $8.75 million, the estate is still on the market. Clarkson rocketed to fame after winning the first season of “American Idol,” in 2002. She’s sold 25 million albums and 45 million singles worldwide. Along with her singing career, she is also a coach on “The Voice.” Dennis Chernov of Keller Williams Realty in Studio City represented the seller. The post Singer Kelly Clarkson Buys a Harmonious Home in Encino, CA, for $8.5M appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®. via https://www.realtor.com/news/celebrity-real-estate/kelly-clarkson-buys-encino-home/ Do you remember hearing how Kim Kardashian West and Kanye West sold their massive Bel Air, CA, home seven months ago? Turns out it’s back on the market, already, leading many to wonder: What went wrong? The backstory: In November, the power couple sold this exhaustively renovated seven-bedroom, seven-bath house for $17.8 million to Ukrainian billionaire Marina Acton, who’s now trying to sell it for $18 million. Even if she fetches this hoped-for price, once you factor in closing costs and commission, Acton will probably be breaking even at best, or more likely losing money. We know she’s got billions, but still, it seems like a such a waste. What gives? Granted, according to TMZ, Acton is “still in love with the home, but is expecting a baby in a few months, so she needs more space.” So, the 9,000 square feet in Kimye’s old digs weren’t enough? Not for Acton, who says she needs an additional 10,000 square feet to feel comfortable, including a guesthouse where her parents can stay when they visit. We guess in billionaire terms, this is plausible, but Acton and Kardashian West have looked pretty chummy lately. According to CheatSheet, Acton was treated to a tour of the house not by a mere listing agent, but by Kardashian West herself. From there, according to TMZ, the two “struck a friendship.” Once their real estate deal was inked, they toasted the sale together with a celebratory dinner out on the town. Granted, rumors are also flying that this real estate deal also required Kardashian West to promote the career of Acton, an aspiring singer, through her social channels and a series of public appearances. So, this may be a friendship of convenience, but it seems to be working for both of them: Kardashian West sold a home she’s been dying to unload, while Acton has received a lot more attention for her singing career.
Why ‘friendship’ and real estate can be a risky mixGranted, while most of us will never buy a home from a celebrity, odds are good we might find ourselves buying a home from someone we know—a friend, or a not-so-distant acquaintance within our social circle. And while it might seem nice to do business with a pal, real estate experts warn that friendships can influence buyers to act against their own best interests. “When buyers and sellers become cozy prior to a sale, one party may feel an obligation, pressure, or caught up in the moment, and that is where it gets tricky,” says Kelly Parks, a real estate broker and owner of Paris Gibson Realty. For instance, let’s say you’re shopping for a home, and friends of yours are desperate to sell theirs—and have high hopes that you’ll take it off their hands. Wouldn’t you feel a smidge of pressure to make them happy and bite? Might you bypass getting a home inspection because, after all, the sellers are friends, so they’d never screw you over? “Having a relationship with the seller absolutely influences a buyer’s decision,” says Ralph DiBugnara, president of Home Qualified, a real estate website. “Sellers are going to see their own home in a positive light, and will present it that way to the buyer. This could convince the buyers not to do their own due diligence, especially if there is a close friendship involved.” On the opposite end, if you think the house is overpriced or needs a ton of repairs, it sure would be awkward to look this person in the eye and say, “I know your home’s listed for $500,000, but I don’t think it’s worth a penny over $400,000.” Ouch! As such, “it is best to leave the negotiations to a real estate agent so that either buyer or seller can objectively assess the transaction and negotiate in their client’s best interests,” says Parks. “The reason real estate agents broker deals is to establish some type of shield so that buyers and sellers don’t let their emotions put them at a disadvantage when negotiating.” It’s like selling a car to a family memberAnd even once the deal is done, it still isn’t the best idea to go ahead and pal it up. “Have you sold an older car to a family member and regretted later because every time there’s a problem with it, you hear the complaint? The same thing can happen with real estate,” says Texas-based real estate agent Sheryl English. “In the flurry and excitement of purchasing from someone who you know, you can overlook details.” And by “details,” we’re not just talking about a leaky roof or perpetually flooding basement. Buyers might also overlook a more core question, such as: Does this home fit my needs not only now, but later on, when I want a family? “Buyers need to consider the big picture and the what-ifs,” says English. “Typically I have my buyers write down their must haves and what they can live without when purchasing, so they don’t have to move within five years.” Or seven months, for that matter. The post Kim and Kanye’s Home Is Back on the Market After Just 7 Months—and We Think We Know Why appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®. via https://www.realtor.com/news/celebrity-real-estate/kim-and-kanyes-home-for-sale-again/ An opulent country estate on 25 acres in Wappingers Falls, NY, is on the market for $30 million. The owner—artist, philanthropist, and socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann—has spent years on the detailed decor of the eye-popping mansion, which features layers of color, print, and artwork. “It’s whimsical, it’s fun,” says listing agent Anthony DeBellis of Douglas Elliman. “There’s tons of texture. It’s colors, it’s vibrance. It’s a mix of tiles, expensive chandeliers, and patterns, but it all works.” Heinemann purchased the property in 1998 for $440,000, according to the Wall Street Journal. The CEO of the lifestyle brand Old Fashioned Mom then put her unique style to work. The 32,000-square-foot home has nine bedrooms, 11 baths, and five half-baths. It features a three-story glass rotunda in a private wing. The acreage includes a basketball court, tennis court, pool, and two cabanas. Three tiny homes currently house the staff, but they could be repurposed as guest cottages or office space. There’s also an enchanting outdoor terrace with a fireplace, an 8,000-square-foot veranda with a view of the sculpture garden, children’s play areas, and manicured grounds. Each room in the home has been elaborately decorated. The dining room, for example, features a cloud-painted ceiling, pale blue walls, and an extravagant chandelier. Walls are covered from floor to ceiling with art, including the owner’s own artwork. The staircase features checkerboard tiles, and a bathroom is filled with a dizzying array of sunflowers, wallpaper, and framed artwork. Although the home was built in 1972, “it definitely feels like an antique,” DeBellis says. The solarium features floor-to-ceiling glass, a fireplace, and a piano. The floral theme continues outside, where the artist’s flower sculptures are on display. “She decorated and designed the whole house to her specifications,” DeBellis says. “She’s a world traveler. Each room has something from some different country.” Just two hours from Manhattan, the country retreat could be a weekend escape or a year-round residence. While the furniture will leave with the owner, who has chosen to spend more time in Manhattan, the window coverings and light fixtures will stay with the property, along with the owner’s one-of-a-kind design. The post Filled With Dazzling Decor, Artist’s Opulent Country Estate Available for $30M appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®. via https://www.realtor.com/news/unique-homes/dazzling-decor-country-estate/
Storage is something that every home needs more of. It doesn’t matter whether you’ve just moved, or you’ve been in the same
via https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/storage-finds-from-wayfairs-summer-sale-that-every-home-needs_us_5b33c7c0e4b0b5e692f3b758 The U.S. apartment market suffered its worst spring since 2010, near the depths of the housing crisis, as a flood of new supply and weakening demand resulted in rising vacancy rates and little or no rent increases in many major cities. Rents rose 2.3% in the second quarter compared with a year earlier, the weakest annual increase since the third quarter of 2010, according to data from RealPage Inc. scheduled to be released on Wednesday. Rental growth was flat in major cities with otherwise strong economies—such as Austin, Portland, Seattle, Dallas and Washington, D.C.—due to large amounts of new supply. While average rents continued to grow, individual landlords cut rents in some markets. In addition, landlords are offering tenants incentives including as many as three months paying no rent, free parking, credit for ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft, and Amazon gift cards for as much as $2,500, according to renters, real-estate brokers and Hotpads, a rental search platform. Joshua Clark, an economist at Hotpads who was looking recently for an apartment in the Capitol Hill area in Seattle, saw the $2,500 Amazon gift card offer. “I had my mouth open for a second. Seriously a lot of my expenses would be covered for the year, which would be fantastic,” he said. Landlords have enjoyed a record 32 straight quarters of annual rent growth on average, as the U.S. economy strengthened and millennials delayed homeownership. But the reports of slowing, which began in a few markets in late 2016, have intensified to the point that the balance is shifting towards renters and away from landlords. Greg Willett, chief economist at RealPage, predicted average rents nationwide could flatten if current trends continue. “It’s kind of telling as we look at some of these individual markets that are losing momentum because they’re important ones,” Mr. Willett said. The cause of the slowdown is primarily new supply. Developers responded to escalating rents by building the most new apartments in 30 years, sending a flood of new high-end units to downtown areas across the country. Developers are expected to add 300,000 new units over the next year across the U.S., Mr. Willett said. At the same time as there are signs renter demand is starting to wane because millennials are marrying, having children and buying homes or moving into single-family rentals. The U.S. added 1.3 million owner households in the first quarter over the same period last year and lost 286,000 renter households, according to U.S. Census data released in April. Landlords rely on the warm spring months to fill apartment buildings because renter demand trails off in the colder months of the years. “The second quarter is when you get most of your rent growth for the year,” Mr. Willett said. The softening is taking place even in high growth cities. For example, the Dallas metropolitan area has the strongest job growth in the country. But Dallas area rents were essentially flat in the second quarter, down from 3.1% annual rent growth in the second quarter last year and a recent high of more than 6% rent growth in late 2015. Landlords there are offering tenants as much as two months of free rent. The problem in Dallas, landlords said, is simply too much supply. Developers are building about 22,000 apartments right now, compared with a long-term average of less than half that. “That’s just too much inventory,” said Ric Campo, chairman and chief executive of Camden Property Trust, one of the country’s largest apartment owners. “In order to get those apartments absorbed, even with good strong job growth, it’s taking the sizzle out of the market.” In Seattle, where Amazon has been an economic powerhouse and home-price growth has been the fastest in the country, landlords are also struggling to fill new units. Rents grew just 0.5% in Seattle compared with a year earlier, down from annual rent growth of 5.6% in the second quarter of 2017 and a recent high of 8.6% rent growth a year prior to that. Michael Chotzen, a Seattle property manager, said some buildings near him in the Capitol Hill neighborhood are slashing security deposits, requiring tenants to put down several hundred dollars or nothing at all. But that can be risky. “If a tenant trashes a unit there needs to be funds to cover that,” he said. Data released Tuesday from another apartment data provider, Reis Inc. also showed a largely weak rental market across the country in the second quarter. The national vacancy rate ticked up to 4.8% from 4.3% in the second quarter of 2017. The number of additional units that were rented fell to just over 37,000 from nearly 53,000 a year earlier, suggesting demand was weaker. Despite the recent slowdown, apartment owners note that the market is far from crashing and rent growth remains just below historic norms. Little concern has arisen that the softening could have broader economic repercussions for the U.S. financial system. Compared with the last real-estate crash, owners say there are unlikely to be many foreclosures because they are carrying much less debt. Jay Hiemenz, president and chief operating officer of Phoenix-based Alliance Residential, an apartment company, said banks are only giving loans to developers for about 65% of the cost to build a project, compared to 80% or more previously. “Absent some shock that none of us can see, we will have a softer landing,” he said. The post U.S. Rental Rates Flatten in Major Cities as Supply Floods Market appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®. via https://www.realtor.com/news/real-estate-news/u-s-rental-rates-flatten-major-cities-supply-floods-market/
Millennials want to buy homes, but there aren’t enough for sale and they cost too much.
via https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/millennial-buyers-face-tough-housing-market_us_5b339184e4b02d5780fe0692 NFL Hall of Famer Rod Woodson is selling his winning house in Pleasanton, CA. The home is on the market for $2.35 million. The home last changed hands in 2004 for $1.6 million, according to property records, which lines up with the time Woodson’s on-field career was winding down. The home has appreciated thanks to the scorching San Francisco Bay Area market, and the former defensive back stands to score a hefty profit with the sale. The luxe 4,500-square-foot home has six bedrooms, 3.5 baths, and “generous updates throughout.” Built in 1998, the home features an eat-in kitchen with stone counters, a family room with fireplace, and multiple entertaining spaces, indoors and out. The backyard is equipped with a pool, spa, pergola, and outdoor kitchen with seating and dining areas. The home has solar panels, and finishes include travertine, wood, and carpeting. The interior doors and baseboards have custom stained wood. The home is close to the freeway and within walking distance to parks and hiking trails. Woodson began his storied career with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1987 and was a five-time All-Pro during his 10-year run in the Steel City. He had a one-season stint with the San Francisco 49ers, in 1997, and then signed with the Baltimore Ravens, with whom he won the 2001 Super Bowl. He finished his playing career in the Bay Area with the Oakland Raiders. From 2003 to 2011, the 53-year-old served as an analyst for the NFL Network. He returned to the Raiders as an assistant coach in 2015, but was not retained by the team after the 2017 season—perhaps precipitating his move out of Pleasanton. The post NFL Hall of Famer Rod Woodson Selling His Pleasanton Home for $2.35M appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®. via https://www.realtor.com/news/celebrity-real-estate/rod-woodson-selling-pleasanton-home/
The former New York Yankees star is asking $14.75 million for the lakefront Tiedemann Castle.
via https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/derek-jeter-home-may-not-be-new-york-castle-for-much-longer_us_5b336325e4b0b5e692f2e521 |
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