LUXURY COLOR TRENDS

COLOR TRENDS: PURPLE DEBUTS AS THE NEW "IT" COLOR
Purple has long been associated with royalty, nobility and wisdom and was at one time only associated with the upper echelon.
In today's economic climate, this once exclusive color is not only attainable, but also marked as the hottest color for the months ahead.
From soft hued lilacs to electric magentas to radiant mulberry, these shades will be seen throughout luxury homes across the globe. Add a splash into an existing design scheme or create a complete makeover - this color is guaranteed to liven up your space.
Due to its diverse color spectrum properties, pulling from blue, red, yellow and green pigments, purple meshes well with a wide variety of color combinations and breaks many boundaries - from traditional to modern to contemporary.
Nachtmann's five-armRavello Candleholder
Add Modern Drama to Your TabletopNachtmann's five-arm Ravello Candleholder in Amethyst - perfect for those seeking the hip and elegant. Made of lead crystal, it brings style to any room, from the dinning table to the boudoir.
Studio 465Wall Coverings
Liven Your Walls With Fashion Inspired Wall CoveringsStudio 465 is a new collection of global fashion-like wall coverings. In stunning colors and patterns - the perfect way to incorporate color throughout your home.
Tracy Glover Elegant Lamps
Create Lighting With Elegant LampsGlass artist Tracy Glover - the "Turk" features two-teardrop glass beads mouthblown and a shade handmade of Dupioni silk with shades of rich violet. A great staple piece to light up any room.
Exotic orchids
Bring the Outdoors InExotic orchids bring a multitude of color and life indoors. From the soft lavender Phalaenopsis 'Exotic Lady' to the dappled mulberry Phalaenopsis 'Golden Sun', they are delicate, yet robust and low-maintenance. Use them to adorn foyer tables, bedside dressers, kitchen counters, and bathtub tile.

Hudson Beach Glass's Large Marsh Grass Bowl
Blend Glass Into Your DecorHudson Beach Glass's Large Marsh Grass Bowl is gorgeous alone or filled with fruit. Place it by a window and it will cast the most incredible amethyst shadow.
Vignette WineCountry Soda
Must Have Beverage: Wine Inspired - Sans AlcoholVignette Wine Country Soda - an all-natural, lightly carbonated soda. Experience wine country via distinct flavor profiles of top varietal grapes without the alcohol - a great way to incorporate purple into an elegant five-course meal or a casual lunch.
Amenity Home Duvet
Sleep Like Royalty Made from the softest organic materials, this duvet is both uniquely modern and classic. The lush lilac silhouette is a limited-edition individually printed design and the rich Belgian linen brings nature's calming warmth and beauty to your sleeping quarters.
HOW TO INTEGRATE PURPLE INTO YOUR HOME:
Mix soft violets with white or silver to create a classic, yet updated look
Blend vibrant magentas with rich blacks to produce an edgy, yet refined space
Mesh vivid purples with deep gold or bronze to generate a contemporary or modern ambiance
Unify sophisticated mulberry with gold-toned green or sapphire blue to produce a rich traditional atmosphere
Mix delicate orchids with rich browns or neutral shades to create a sophisticated, yet fun feel.

TODAY'S TOP STORIES : Good News!

Florida’s consumer confidence rises as economic fears ease GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Sept. 30, 2009 – Belief that a national economic recovery is under way boosted Florida’s consumer confidence three points to 74 in September, according to a new University of Florida survey.“I think Florida consumers are buying into the argument that the worst of the recession is over and we have avoided a complete meltdown,” says Chris McCarty, survey director of UF’s Bureau of Economic and Business Research. “Once again, they have surprised us with a higher-than-expected index.”This month’s three-point rise follows a four-point revised increase in August. Of the five components that make up September’s index, three rose, one declined and one was unchanged. Perceptions of personal finances now compared with a year ago remained unchanged at 44, only five points above its all-time low of 39 in December. Expectations about personal finances a year from now fell three points to 81.In contrast, perceptions of U.S. economic conditions over the next year rose three points to 75, while expectations about economic conditions over the next five years rose five points to 86. Perceptions of whether it is a good time to buy big-ticket items, such as appliances and cars, rose nine points to 84.“It is worth noting that the two index components that gauge perceptions of personal finances both now and in the future are flat or down,” McCarty says. “All of the increase is in perceptions of future economic conditions, and in the perception that if you have the money, it’s a good time to buy.”There are some signs that the economy is improving, he says.Once again, the median price of a single-family home is virtually flat compared with the previous month, and up for the year, suggesting that housing prices in many areas of Florida have bottomed out, McCarty says. Although foreclosures are still high, the rate seems to be declining.In other good news, inflation and, in particular, gas prices remain low overall compared with a year ago, McCarty says. In the past few years, gas prices have dominated the consumer confidence index. In addition, the stock market is still up for the year and at least for now appears stable

Market Statistics Available

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People Are Moving for Happier Reasons!

Survey: People moving for happier reasons ORLANDO, Fla. – Aug. 28, 2009 – People have gone back to moving in hopes it will improve their lives rather than moving to escape foreclosure or other aspects of the economic crisis, according to a survey of recent movers released this month by Relocation.com.In the June survey, nearly 42 percent said they were in the process of buying a home or planning to buy one. Poll participants said their reason for moving was:• To live in a bigger or better home (26 percent).• To live in a better neighborhood or area (24 percent).• To be closer to family or friends (12 percent).• To live in an area with a lower cost of living (9 percent).• To accommodate a change in marital status (6 percent). Moving because of school, job loss, retirement or foreclosure each generated 3 percent or less.Responses to this survey are substantially different from the responses to a similar survey in March, when 41 percent said the recession was, at least partially, driving their move.Source: Relocation.com (08/06/2009)

How to Get a Fair Appraisal on Your Home

By Sarah Max, Money Magazine
July 30, 2009: 4:11 AM ET

Buying? Selling? Don't undervalue the home
Here are five things you need to know about getting a fair appraisal.

1. The new rules don't guarantee accuracy
After the bust, lenders came under fire for pressuring appraisers to inflate property values. Now banks are largely required to work with independent appraisers, which should help fix the problems that may have led buyers to overpay.
If you're the owner and want to sell or refinance, however, it's up to you to make sure your home isn't mistakenly valued below your sale price or loan limit. That's because appraisal-management companies tend to hire workers who can get the job done quickly and cheaply, rather than those who know the area best.
"Appraisers say they're under pressure to crank out reports," says Albuquerque mortgage broker Walt Vieira.
2. Detective work may pay off
If you're selling or refinancing, a key factor in your home's valuation is the recent sales prices for houses that are comparable to yours. But your appraiser may not know if there is some unusual circumstance behind those numbers, such as a divorce or a job relocation.
So ask a real estate agent to help you ID recent comparable sales in your area and try to get the scoop on the circumstances from your neighbors. Most appraisers will appreciate extra information, says Michael H. Evans, a fellow of the American Society of Appraisers.
3. Curb appeal can boost your numbers
Appraisers don't give out grades for stellar housekeeping, but the appearance of your home nevertheless has some influence on their final number. "We're only human," says Evans.
So before the appraiser arrives, prepare your home for the evaluation the same way you would for an open house. At a minimum, mow the yard, shine the windows, tidy the closets, and pick up stray clutter from the floors. "The job of the appraiser is to look at the house through a buyer's eyes," says Leslie Sellers, president-elect of the Appraisal Institute.
4. Point out your home's best features
An appraiser who is under time pressure can't be counted on to notice and research every detail of your house and neighborhood. So before he gives your home a once-over, hand him a typed list of its best attributes. Key things to note: any recent upgrades or improvements in the house itself, such as custom woodwork or new windows, perks of your particular property, such as striking mountain views or mature landscaping, and the benefits of living in your neighborhood, such as access to top schools or public transportation.
5. It's okay to fight back after the fact
Request a copy of the final report when it's done; lenders are required to give it to you. Check for errors in key stats, such as square footage, and make sure that the comments portray your property accurately.
If you find a mistake, call the appraiser directly and ask him to recheck his work. If he's not willing to make changes, take your complaint to your state's real estate appraisal board, says Sellers. It's also worth letting your bank or broker know about your gripe, but remember, under the new rules they can't meddle with the appraisal directly.

It is Important That You Choose a Qualified Professional to Market Your Luxury Home.

Miami /Ft Lauderdale Top City in Market Recovery!

Miami top 10 city leading market recovery MIAMI – Aug. 20, 2009 – Here’s more evidence that housing is turning around. Forbes magazine identified 161 of the country’s largest metro areas where sales activity has increased compared to 2008, and where foreclosure sales as a percentage of total sales, are low.The magazine considers these markets as on the road to recovery:1. Miami-Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.2. Lincoln, Neb.3. Colorado Springs, Colo.4. Salem, Ore.5. San Luis Obispo, Calif.6. Bremerton, Wash.7. Denver, Colo.8. Redding, Calif.9. Santa Barbara, Calif.10. San Jose, Calif.Source: Forbes, Matt Woolsey (08/13/2009)