Having just returned from Central America, Chicago's weather is like a big, cold wet slap to the face. I've been conducting vacation rentals for awhile now, and from time to time, clients want to buy properties in tropical places, which puts me in the position of negotiator and buyer's agent in some very exotic places. While buying makes sense for some people, for most vacation rental are a way to survey what you can expect if you plan to retire or live abroad for any length of time. One place that has become popular is Costa Rica, where there are many places to vacation inexpensively. Recently, I placed a client at the following Ocean View estate in La Cruz, Costa Rica. See, http://www.mtpalmera.com
     
      We heard nothing but positive feedback about our vacation rental services, and welcome you to contact us to book a private villa, condo or estate aboard.
     
      Contact iannahevans@yahoo.com and mention "Vacation Rentals" in the subject line.
     

The Realestatejournal.com features a story about the popularity of Fire Pits.
     
      http://www.realestatejournal.com/columnists/homeeconomics/20041012-homeeconomics.html http://www.realestatejournal.com/columnists/homeeconomics/20041012-homeeconomics.html

It may not be an issues for everybody, but The Real Estate Journal covers the ins, the outs and considerations of insurance for works of Art in the home.
      See,http://www.realestatejournal.com/housegarden/artantiques/20040818-studer.html

I don't generally push one insurance company over another for home owner's insurance issues, but I like State Farm's website, which has many tools for home owners.
     
      See, more.

Getting a property ready to sell is hard work. Many sellers are left with a worn out feeling, even if they use a Realtor, and contractors to help them clean things up to a point that will lead to a quick sale. Even with a road map, it's hard work, but a road map certainly makes it easier. That's why I make a free guide available to my clients, which offers 450 Tips for staging a house for sale. See,
     
      http://www.libertyground.info/450ideas.html

Forbes.com has profiled high end houses in Chicago this week. The Astor Street property is the most expensive on the market in Illinois right now. It features 20 bedrooms, 13 fireplaces and its own steam room.... http://www.forbes.com
     

From Oklahoma comes a report about real estate commissions, averages and trends across the United States. Wonder what is the national average? http://www.newsok.com/article/1285356/(5.06)
     

      Visit my other blog for current postingshttp://www.diannah.blogspot.com

New home sales did not slip as predicted according to Commerce Department release yesterday, and today the securities markets surged after The Conference Board release a jump in consumer confidence, which is bound to lead to talk for a rate hike.
     
      If gardening is your thing, it pays to check your yard's soil before you buy. The Realjournalonline.com offers great insights about your property's soil....
      realestatejournal.com/housegarden/gardening/20040728-crossen.html
     
      The journal also offers information about the latest trend in upscale vacation properties-- gated communities in the wilderness... realestatejournal.com/buysell/secondhomes/20040728-reed.html

Local Federal Reserve President Michael Moskow announced Friday that he doesn't see a lot to worry about in the housing market given the outlook for inflation and the future cost of money for barrowers; but qualified his remarks by saying that certain parts of the country may have gotten ahead of the rest. http://www.washtimes.com/upi-breaking/20040723-111845-5430r.htm
     

      On my other blog, I've posted pictures of my dog Kirby from Christmas, and 4th of July at the Edgewater, Chicago Dog Park -- ... more (http://www.diannah.blogspot.com)

One list that Chicago does not place high on is the list of cities in America with the most one million dollar homes, according to a Harvard housing study. Here is the link to an interesting study of million dollar homes in the United States, citing the top ten cities with the highest concentration of million dollar single family housing are mostly in California JCHS.harvard.edu The cities included Cambridge, MA, San Fran, Pasadena, LA, Fort Lauderdale, Berkeley, CA, Stamford, CT, Atlanta, GA, and Fremont, CA. Chicago did not place. Nor did it place in states with the highest per centage of million dollar single family housing. Those states include, California, DC, CT, HI, MA, NY, NJ, Washington, CO, and Wyoming; with California by far with the highest percentage at 40% of the total number of units. New York is next with a mere 7%. Consiquently, the top 25 zipcodes are in California.

CBS.marketwatch.com covers the debate-- not the presidental debate, but the housing market bubble debate. Is inflation going to raise rates and burst the bubble, or will rates be managed, leaving the economy in good shape and housing demand in tact?
     
      CBSMarketwatch.com also covers the record breaking relocations taking place across American, as reported by Van Lines. The site's real estate coverage is worth the effort to sign up. It's also free.