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Redefining Boston Real Estate

LRG Boston Real Estate Blog

Boston luxury real estate as it happens

20 Brimmer Street Auction Results – SHOCKER

March 3rd, 2010

According to two very reliable sources (NOT in the brokerage community), and close friends of Luxury Residential Group, have told us that the Auction at 20 Brimmer Street was unsuccessful and failed to meet the minimum set forth prior to auction day. There were bidders that attended but no one stepped forward with a bid of $4,975,000+5% buyers premium or greater.  This is a total SHOCKER to the Boston Real Estate and brokerage community as the auction was highly publicized and well received by the public.

We feel that the developer would have been better off with an absolute auction format rather than setting a reserve.  This would have presented the TRUE value of the property.  Unfortunately, 20 Brimmer is now valued at, or below the $4,975,000 reserve price point.  A risk the developer was willing to take, but did not anticipate happening.

UPDATE: The home is now currently priced at $4,975,000.  If you are interested in receiving more information or to set up a private tour, please feel free to email us at info@lrgboston.com or call Joshua Golden(Buyer Agent) at (617) 233-5800.

America’s Most Luxurious Homes Showcase – Los Angeles

February 22nd, 2010

Today we look at a 32 room, 8,000 square foot luxury “safe” home in Los Angeles, California.  With a price tag of $7,250,000 with these kinds of views, amenities and square footage seems quite reasonable. A similar home in Boston would fetch $10,000,000+ with relative ease. The home features 80 windows with 360 degree views of Los Angeles, elevator, theater, gourmet kitchen, guest suite, heliport, 5 bedrooms, 8 baths, den , family room, 2 offices, wine cellar, rooftop patio, parking for 20 cars (room for 6 inside), 2 Safe Cores, 2 Panic Rooms, and access control.

Exterior

Exterior

Entryway

Entryway

Entry Foyer

Entry Foyer

Kitchen One

Kitchen One

Kitchen Two

Kitchen Two

Kitching/Family Room

Kitching/Family Room

Livingroom

Livingroom

Diningroom

Diningroom

Outdoor Deck

Outdoor Deck

Patio

Patio

In Home Office

In Home Office

Family Room

Family Room

Master Bathroom

Master Bathroom

THE View

THE View

This information was provided by the listing companies website Hurwitz James Company. For more information, please contact them directly at (310) 477-8865

“Poetry of Space”- Nine New York City Artists Present New Work

February 22nd, 2010

Currently on View at Luxury Residential Group located at 355 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116 next to the new Arlington Greenline T Station:

“Poetry of Space”- Nine New York City Artists Present New Work

Doll

Doll

James Adelman, Dina Brodsky, Maya Brodsky, Michelle Doll, Ke Feng*, Caitlin Hurd, Karl Koett, Tun Myaing, Jason Talley*

Through March 19th
Preview the show ——->Here<——

This month Artana treats Boston to new work by nine upcoming NYC artists. To learn more about the show or the artists participating in this special event, please contact Artana’s Director Heather Roy for a private showing or group gallery tour.

“Poetry of Space” suggests art that evokes an aesthetic and emotive response while transcending the narrower limits of the traditional framed image. The nine artists exhibiting in “Poetry of Space” move beyond their rigorous and broadly classical apprenticeship in creating work that shows both freshness and evolution.

We have attempted to provide significant breadth and contrast in the pictures exhibited. Michelle Doll’s figures reflect sensual warmth and communicate the beauty of life in unexpectedly pensive scenes while in Jason Talley’s portraits one can sense both the erotic and the emotional. By way of contrast Karl Koett demonstrates an ability to capture nineteenth-century solidity and earthiness, elements far removed from the whimsicality of Caitlin Hurd’s animals in flight. In a further contrast, James Adelman’s methodically detailed portraits are Presque vu on canvass, leaving the viewer on the brink of recognition, wishing desperately to have the darkened scene thrown into light. Maya Brodsky’s paintings play on the mind’s struggle to define time, while Dina Brodsky’s work reconciles the simultaneous presence of textures, tones, and colors of the past in a distinctly contemporary form. Tun Myaing has captured his models in motion at a point in time, but the streaks running from the canvas edge intimate that motion and time continue. Finally, Ke Feng’s works are made from an algorithm of the artist’s creation, translating the late 16th century Chinese text of Journey to the West into ethereal landscapes.

Adelman

Adelman

The pleasure of poetry lies in ever-changing voices and themes operating within flexible boundaries; the reward of this exhibition is, we hope, different creative energies working both within and beyond standard space, engaging the viewer as poetry engages the listener. The effect of “Poetry of Space” is the visitor’s moment of discovery as the exhibited works show him how his mind unconsciously understands time, space, and memory together as a single faculty. —Peter Skinner

Artana encourages home or office art consultations. For a complimentary private appointment, please contact Artana’s Director Heather Roy at 617-879-3111.

2010 Winter Olympics Kicks Off With Tragedy – K.D. Lang Sings Tribute

February 13th, 2010

Tonight marked the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver British Columbia. A city that has been described by some as one of the most livable cities in the world.

Nodar Kumaritashvili

Nodar Kumaritashvili

An evening that was supposed to be a festive celebration took on a somber mood as the Republic of Georgia lost one of its young athletes. Twenty one year old Nodar Kumaritashvili (1988-2010) tragically lost his life on a trial run at what is widely known as the worlds fastest and most dangerous luge tracks at Whistler Mountain. As the athletes were visibly shaken, K.D. Lang sang Hallelujah.  Her singing came from the heart and may go down as one of the best performances in Olympic opening ceremony history.  It moved the audience and the 100’s of millions of people around the World that had the privilege of witnessing the historic event.  Although the song was part of the original plan, it certainly took on different meaning  in light of today’s tragedy.

20 Brimmer Street – Beacon Hill Goes To Auction

February 3rd, 2010

With the economy fluttering, high end residential real estate auctions are quickly becoming a developers and banks best friend.  The latest, and maybe the most exciting auction to date is a pristine, new construction, luxury townhome on the Flat of Beacon Hill, 20 Brimmer Street. What was once $8.5 million, this 5,700 square foot,  new construction home is now $6.99 million and going to auction with a reserve/min. bid of $4.995 million. This is an exciting opportunity to scoop up a prime, turnkey piece of luxury real estate at a very very reasonable price in a highly desirable location in Boston.

*Luxury Residential Group represents buyers at this and other auctions around the city at no cost to you. Please feel free to contact us to discuss this opportunity at 20 Brimmer St. and set up a private tour. (617) 233-5800, please ask for Joshua Golden.

20 Brimmer Exterior

20 Brimmer Exterior

Roofdeck

Roofdeck

Library

Library

Kitchen

Kitchen

Livingroom

Livingroom

Family Room

Family Room

Dining Room

Dining Room

Art, Music and Real Estate – Simon and Garfunkel

January 23rd, 2010

At Luxury Residential Group we have a deep appreciation for the arts.  As a matter of fact, in our office space on Boylston Street, we hang artwork from The Artana Gallery.  We also have a passion for timeless music.  Music that stays with us from generation to generation. Moving forward, we will be featuring music and artwork on our blog as we feel it goes hand and hand with Real Estate and your Home.

Art – Fills your home with color.  Each painting tells a story from one persons perspective .

Music – Brings sound and energy to your home.  Both of which we feel are necessary components for a happy and healthy lifestyle.

Simon and Garfunkel Then

Simon and Garfunkel Then

Simon and Garfunkel Now

Simon and Garfunkel Now

The first work that we would like to share with you is a performance by Simon and Garfunkel from Madison Square Garden this past Fall(2009).  The song is called The Boxer.  Pushing their 70’s in age, Simon and Garfunkel’s music has stood the test of time. Although their voices have matured, they sound even better in this performance than they did in the 60’s and 70’s. There is something about their passion and lyrics that send chills down most peoples spines. Enjoy!!



LRG’s Finest Homes Showcase – 1/23/10

January 23rd, 2010

By Luxury Residential Group

We thought it would be both exciting and fun to start sharing Luxury Residential Group’s picks for the nicest luxury homes currently for sale in Massachusetts.

15 Merrill St, Hingham, MA – $7,900,000

Absolutely stunning home on the water in Hingham, MA. To preview the listing please click here.

15 Merrill - From Water

15 Merrill - From Water

Master Bedroom View

Master Bedroom View

Sauna and Pool Bathroom

Sauna and Pool Bathroom

Game Room

Game Room

Living Room

Living Room

Four Car Garage

Four Car Garage

Reading Room

Reading Room

Infinity Swimming Pool

Infinity Swimming Pool

Wine Cellar

Wine Cellar

*Please note, not all the properties we feature here are Luxury Residential Group’s exclusive sales listings. However we do specialize in buyer representation at no cost to you and would be more than happy to arrange a tour at your convenience.

FHA Changes In The New Year

January 20th, 2010

LogoSome interesting news from the FHA this week. With the increased popularity of FHA in the absence of other alternative products (they now insure 30% of all new loans) FHA is nearing the limits of loans they can make based on their capital ratio. To address this problem FHA will be raising their upfront mortgage insurance premium fees from 1.75% to 2.25%. They have also requested approval to increase their monthly fees.

On a positive note they have lifted their 90 day seasoning rule for sellers. This takes effect Feb 1st for a period of one year. All transactions must be arms-length. If the sales price is 20% or more than the acquisition cost, the lender will require a second appraisal.

Some more good news, which we feel is very important to note and directly impacts our clients, is the FHA has reduced the pre sale requirement for new condo developments to 30%. With developers struggling to move their new projects, this news will provide a big boost.

For questions or more information please call our mortgage specialist Jesse Kenner at 401-644-4066. He can also help you get your new development or condo conversion FHA approved.

Google Versus The Chinese Government – Winds of Change?

January 15th, 2010

googlechinaGoogle, risking billions of dollars in revenue, has threatened to pull their popular search engine out of China if  the Government continues to sensor its content and search results. No other company in the world has the same impact or power over commerce and business as Google.  The Chinese Government has told Google that if they are going to operate in China, they MUST play by their rules.  This means they cannot show search results that contain human rights terms, critical political views, religious propaganda or pornographic material.  The company has agreed to follow these strict guidelines for the last few years but things may be about to change. Recently, two Chinese human rights activists Gmail accounts were hacked by highly sophisticated means. Google has taken exception to this and without directly blaming the Chinese Government for the breach, they have told them that they would pull out of China if they continued this kind of behavior and censorship.  At the Google headquarters, Chinese citizens left flowers and notes in admiration of Google’s stand.  A civil uprising is beginning to take shape in the country and its momentum may force the Government to ease its stand.

GooglevChina

Luxury Residential Group’s Thoughts:

We applause Google for putting their core principals ahead of their bottom line.  It may be one of the most refreshing, and forever lasting events of our time.  Nothing, throughout history, has been able to force change in China until now. Who would have thunk that Google, an American company, would be able to accomplish something  that no other Government or Human Rights Group could.  We feel that Google will prevail in the end, stay in China and put a huge dent in the Governments stand on censorship.

What does this have to do with Real Estate?

It highlights the fact that no matter how much money is at stake, or how far two parties are apart in a negotiation(could be $500 on a $5 million dollar transaction), one should NEVER challenge or question another’s core principals. It will undoubtedly end all negotiations and profitable relationships moving forward.

Boston Properties Edward Linde Passes Away at 68 Years Old

January 12th, 2010
Edward Linde - Boston Properties

Edward Linde - Boston Properties

It was reported today, 1/11/2010, by the Boston Globe and Boston Properties that Edward Linde has passed away due to complications related to pneumonia. Linde was not only known for his role in building one of the countries largest, most successful commercial real estate companies, but more importantly, his donations to the arts community($25 million to the Museum of Fine Arts) as  well as local Boston Hospitals.

Our sympathies and prayers go out to the Linde family.

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