When developer Ian Schrager, co-creator of boutique hotels, and his partners asked the renowned architectural firm, Herzog & de Meuron, to design 40 Bond Street in New York City, they were choosing a top team. This prestigious firm had designed the Tate Modern Museum in London, the main stadium for the Olympic Games in Beijing, as well as other world-class projects. Schrager made one more top decision. "I'm taking the penthouse," says Schr... [More]

When it comes to promoting economic recovery, the Federal Reserve is not acting in a 'reserved' manner. The U.S. Federal Reserve Bank has a definite plan and defining purpose. Plan The FOMC (committee responsible for setting monetary policy) plans to purchase $600 billion in Treasury securities. Purpose Encourage economic growth and keep long-term interest rates at a low level. Reason The Federal Reserve wants to speed up the process of e... [More]

The beginning of the New Year revolves around the 'annual' resolutions – at least according to the media. Whether people choose to follow a set plan or just play it by air, you can bet that they will be bombarded by all kinds of advice - on television, in print, and at online sites. The professional (or other) advice will cover every topic from routine to resorts to real estate. You have to separate the great advice from the inaccurate, ... [More]

Tempting incentives for home buyers – especially first-timers – seem to be the 'in' thing. At one point or another, governments, builders, and property groups will offer enticing incentives to encourage home purchases. This practice is widespread in a troubled or recovering economy. Yet these offers are around to a certain degree in every real estate market. Government initiatives have been shown to benefit home buyers. These prog... [More]

According to the results of the 19th Annual Survey released by the Association of Foreign Investment in Real Estate (AFIRE), international buyers favor US property. As foreign investors notice a recovering economy, they are expressing a renewed interest in U.S. real estate. In the latter part of 2010, this real estate survey was conducted among association members. The James A. Graaskamp Center for Real Estate at the Wisconsin School of Busines... [More]

Home buyers and sellers, as well as investors, are trying to figure out the future of real estate in the coming year. Depending on their position, interested parties are exploring different areas of real estate. Individuals and organizations focus on everything from property value levels to interest rates to REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) debt levels. Commercial Real Estate Real-estate fund managers have expressed confidence in the futur... [More]

As the current year winds down and 2011 approaches, readers can expect reports and articles about real estate trends to pop up everywhere. With so much trend-related content out there, our eyes can sometimes glaze over and we tend to ignore the latest list. Yet we should rethink our reaction to the barrage of year-end statistics. Tracking Trends Examining trends helps us to zone in on where we've been, gives us an idea of where we're going, a... [More]

After Christmas, shoppers follow Boxing Day sales and all the other reduced prices to be found at year's end. Meanwhile, the real industry is reflecting on the more memorable deals of 2010. Of course, new home owners will be remembering their own private real estate transactions. As well, more than one commercial transaction during this year made a powerful impression. Commercial Real Estate The National Association of Realtors (NAR) predict... [More]

Only a minority of gift-givers have sufficient financial resources to give the gift of a home during this holiday season. An increasing number of family and friends, however, are helping first-time home buyers (and other potential home owners) with financing. People who step in to help loved ones with financing for homes are known as "angel investors." This term seems especially appropriate for investors who help relatives get into a home for t... [More]

If you could catch a flight from the closest major airport to Santa's home in the North Pole, you would have to depart from Fairbanks, Alaska. Yet if a trek to the Geographic North Pole sounds a bit daunting, you cam always visit the 'City of North Pole' – a ten-mile drive southeast of Fairbanks. Actually, the City of North Pole is a 'jolly good' alternative. City of North Pole This scenic town with more than 2,200 residents is known as... [More]