Realestock Blog

Continuing with our regular monthly feature, here are the top ten property listings on Realestock that achieved the most popularity with motivated buyers over the holidays.

1. Mountain Spirit Resort and Spa, Kimberley, BC

For the third month running, Kimberley B.C.’s luxurious Mountain Spirit Resort and Spa has topped our list of most viewed listings. The combination of a four-season skiing mountain residence with a luxurious world-class spa and four-star slope-side restaurant is among the most exclusive of mountain resorts. And if that weren’t enough, it allows access to Trickle Creek’s championship golf courses, 1800 acre natural park with over 100 km of trails to explore, mountain biking, fly fishing and much more. With activities for everyone, Mountain Spirit is truly a winning destination.

2. 1235 East Lake Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL

This spectacular estate in Florida has made several jumps in our list in recent months. It includes 9 bedrooms, 9 full and 4 half bathrooms. Spectacular features include a state-of-the-art nightclub, putting green, gym, massage room and spa, wine cellar, infinity pool and 9-car garage. A vantage light system, top grade impact glass, limestone floors, clay barrel tile roof and Pecky Cypress balconies embellish the luxurious feel of the estate.

3. Cannery Lofts Condominium, Astoria, OR

The best river view in Astoria has jumped to number 3 on our list. It offers 10’ ceilings, loft design, granite counters, bamboo floors, gourmet kitchens, glass window walls and gas fireplaces. With easy access to the river walk, quaint shops and amazing restaurants, Cannery Lofts Condominiums is the ideal location for luxury living.

4. Dockside Green, Victoria, BC

A name synonymous with green living, Dockside Green is a LEED® Platinum-targeted project. All of the community’s luxury condominiums feature renewable bamboo floors, low-flow toilets and energy efficient appliances. Dockside Village itself offers even more features, with solar-water heating, small building wind turbines, floating dock with a launch area for canoes and kayaks and a community amphitheatre.

5. Landings at Las Olas, Fort Lauderdale, FL

Number five is a new entry on our list from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The Landings at Las Olas is a brand-new waterfront corner residence located on Hendricks Island. With spectacular water views, exquisite marble flooring and a separate breakfast and dining room, the Landings at Las Olas has everything you could want in a waterfront home. What’s more, there’s also a swimming pool and central air conditioning for your enjoyment, all year round.

6. Highbury-Tower Residences at Fish Creek, Calgary, Alta.

Quality building materials blend with simple contemporary forms to convey a certain level of sophistication. Its vertical planes of brick and glass work together to create a sense of grandeur; one that brings to mind thoughts of a modern day castle. Highbury's private amenities building is complete with spa & fitness facilities, theatre with tiered seating, an entertainment lounge, hobby rooms and meeting rooms, plus an in-building carwash.

7. Motif at Citi, Burnaby, B.C.

Citi is a combined commercial and residential development located in the heart of the lower mainland's fast growing urban centre, the Brentwood community of Burnaby. Motif, the residential tower, is a pinnacle of contemporary elegance. Rising 30 storeys, it showcases stunning panoramic views day and night. In total there are 148 spacious suites and 5 multi-level townhomes, all of which are exquisitely finished.

8. February Point Resort Estates, February Point, Exuma, Bahamas

February Point Resort Estates is among the most coveted oceanfront properties of the Caribbean. It comprises an exclusive private, 80 acre peninsula on the unspoiled Bahamian island of Great Exuma. Enjoy your luxurious villa right on a pristine, powder-white, sandy beach. Luxurious living space and grand ocean-facing verandas, simply spectacular ocean, beach, sunrise and sunset vistas from every room combine to make the purchase of a dream oceanfront home at pre-construction prices, truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

9. Vista Lago at the Hammock, Kendall, FL

An amazing location with beautiful hardwood and marble floors, swimming pool and separate breakfast and dining area is one of the best kept secrets in all of Florida. A luxurious living space in a gated community, Vista Lago at the Hammock has everything you’re looking for in a dream property.

10. Sullivan Stone Lodge, Kimberley, BC

This luxury mountain chalet at Sullivan Stone Lodge is mountain living at its finest! With spectacular windows overlooking 50 miles of The Rocky Mountains, 2 spacious decks, a private heated garage, and your own private out door hot tub, you'll want to return again and again! The spacious open plan lounge and dining area with large table and 6 chairs makes this a great place for entertaining. The lounge is complimented with a stone gas fireplace and large TV with DVD and surround sound theatre system.

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For the first time of what will now be a monthly feature on the site, we are proud to share with you this list of the 10 most viewed property listings on Realestock.com. Each month, we will be bringing you this list of properties which have achieved great popularity and exposure on Realestock to motivated buyers.

1. Mountain Spirit Resort and Spa, Kimberley, BC

Mountain Spirit Resort & Spa in Kimberley, BC is your four season Rocky Mountain playground. Combining a four season skiing mountain residence with the luxuries of a world-class spa and spectacular slope-side restaurant; Mountain Spirit allows easy access to Trickle Creek’s championship golf courses, 1800 acre natural park with over 100km of trails to explore, fly fishing, mountain biking, horseback riding and much more. The nearby Canadian Rockies International Airport makes travel to and from Salt Lake City, Calgary and Vancouver convenient and accessible.

2. Cannery Lofts Condominium, Astoria, OR

Cannery Lofts Condominium has the best river view in Astoria! Walk along the beautiful river walk or watch the ships pass by while lounging on your deck; Astoria has been named the best town to retire to, with its scenic views, quaint shops, historic homes and amazing restaurants. The brand new unit offers: 10’ ceilings, loft design, granite counters, bamboo floors, gourmet kitchen, glass window wall and gas fireplace. The identical unit is currently under construction in Phase II.

3. The Ellington, Oakland, CA

The best address in the Bay Area, The Ellington offers a lifestyle that is anything but the usual. Homes feature elevated nine and a half foot ceilings, hardwood flooring, open kitchens with Bosch stainless steel appliances, sprawling balconies and broad floor-to-ceiling window walls framing impressive Bay views. The high-rise contains an attended lobby with daily concierge services with nighttime security- in addition to a state of the art fitness center, heated pool, spa and community room with a full chef’s kitchen.

4. Dockside Green, Victoria, BC

Dockside Green is a name synonymous with environmental living and is a LEED® Platinum-targeted project. The development is an innovative community of one and two bedroom luxury condominiums, townhouses and penthouses all of which feature environmentally-friendly materials such as renewable bamboo floors, low-flow toilets and energy efficient appliances. The community features solar water heating, small-building wind turbines, a car share program, mini-transit system and a launch area for canoes and kayaks.

5. 1235 East Lake Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL

This exquisite Fort Lauderdale estate features 20,753 square feet with 9 bedrooms, 9 full and 4 half bathrooms. A gated entry is monitored by a state-of-the-art security system with camera surveillance and infrared sensors to ensure you sleep well at night. Fabulous amenities include a state-of-the-art nightclub, putting green, gym, massage room and spa, wine cellar, infinity pool and 9-car garage. Limestone floors, a clay barrel title roof and Pecky Cypress balconies embellish the luxurious feel of this home.

6. Highbury-Tower Residences at Fish Creek, Calgary, Alta.

Like all three towers, Highbury² gets its inspiration from classical modernism. Quality building materials blend with simple contemporary forms to convey a certain level of sophistication. Highbury² offers a wide range of one and two bedroom suites on its 12 floors, all with den/media room or home office. Highbury’s private amenities building features spa and fitness facilities, theatre with tiered seating, entertainment lounge, hobby and conference rooms, plus an in-building car wash.

7. Prado, Richmond, BC

A stunning landmark in the heart of downtown Richmond, Prado is located across from Lansdowne Centre and mere steps away from the RAV Line Lansdowne station. Each unit features caesarstone countertops, hardwood laminate floors and contemporary wood cabinetry. The units contain fireplaces with granite surround and entertainment-size patios, balconies and roof decks.

8. 987 SE MacArthur Blvd.-Hutchinson Island, FL, Stuart, FL

Located on private Hutchinson Island, this fabulous, charming beach home boasts 75 feet directly on the ocean and 75 feet on the Indian River Intracoastal, with a boathouse and dock situated minutes from the Inlet! With three bedrooms, three bathrooms and 2,800 square feet, this home is private and sunrise to sunset; is the best of both worlds.

9. Colonnade at Kentlands, Gaithersburg, MD

The Colonnade at Kentlands is a luxurious new condo surrounded by shops and entertainment opportunities. Floor plans are remarkably spacious with some offering 20-foot ceilings, staircases to lofts, fireplaces and computer niches. Kitchen islands and large walk-in closets are standard features in each unit, while the building features amenities such as a pool, sauna, wine room, fitness centre, cinema lounge, pub and courtyard.

10. Kanata Ecovillage, Mont-Tremblant, QC

Kanata Ecovillage is an exclusive village offering elegant homes that include all the modern amenities such as a wine cellar and energizing spa. Located just a few kilometers from the Mont-Tremblant resort, residents have easy access to all sorts of outdoor activities, including on-site dog sledding excursions, snowmobiling, fishing, wildlife observation trips and horseback riding.

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About a year ago, we posted about an interesting article from Forbes.com. The article predicted which US metropolitan areas would be the strongest long-term housing markets that could stand up in the recession. You can read the entire blog post on the subject here. The following ten cities were listed in the top ten:

Now, admittedly these predictions are for long-term value over ten years, but it is never too soon to check back and get a progress report.

So how well have the predictions held up? According to the latest statistics from the National Association of Realtors, it is the smaller municipalities and the suburbs that have had the real estate bust pass them by.

Austin, Texas as well as Rochester, NY saw their housing market fall by only 0.1% between the second quarter of 2008 and the second quarter of 2009. In an entirely different region, Bloomington, Indiana saw their housing market rise 0.1% between the second quarter of 2008 and the second quarter of 2009.

However, the biggest winners, according to the National Association of Realtors, as well as Zillow.com’s Home Value Index, are Cumberland, Missouri and two metropolitan areas in North Carolina; Fayetteville and Burlington. Cumberland’s housing market rose 9.4% between 2008 and 2009, with the median price at $ 84,000. Both Fayetteville and Burlington reported even higher increases between 2008 and the second quarter of 2009- with Fayetteville’s increases at 11.9% and a median housing price at $122,900; while Burlington had a whopping 14.5%, with its median housing price at $135,100.

As you may notice, none of the ten cities from the Forbes list appear amongst the early market leaders. When you consider that the recovery thus far has been concentrated in the Midwest and smaller areas rather than the major urban metropolises, this is not too much of a shock. The Forbes writers can at least take some solace in the fact that none of these ten areas were amongst the biggest losers in the past year. Las Vegas saw its housing market fall by 31.2% to $139,400 in the last year. Large metropolitan areas like Detroit and Orlando suffered massive losses in their housing markets, with Detroit being down 23% to $ 99,400 and Orlando down 24.5% to $139,100. Fort Myers, Florida and Phoenix, Arizona also saw their housing markets fall nearly 30% as well in the last year.

So how did the ten cities on the list itself fair? Surprisingly, number one on the list, Seattle, was hit the hardest with its housing market down 9% from the previous year. Minneapolis, number four on the list was the next hardest hit; with its housing market down 8.4% from 2008 at $194,200. Portland’s numbers went down 7.3% and New York’s dropped 6.7%. Washington was close behind at 6.2% and Philadelphia and Atlanta came in at a 5.4% and 5.2% loss in their housing markets. The winner, out of all of the cities on the list was St. Louis, which saw their market drop 4.3%, nearly half the amount that Seattle’s market dropped.

What have we learned from these predictions that were made right in the midst of the housing crisis? First of all, we can see that while all of these predictions were based off of sound data and research, the regions still had their home values drop further than predicted. So is this a bad time to get into the real estate market? No. But like anything else in an economy that is recovering from a worldwide recession- smart buying is still the way to go. Gone are the days of reckless investment, but smart investors? They can still come out ahead because in this day and age, timing is everything. If anything this Top Ten prediction list has proven, it’s that predictions are hard to make and sometimes we just can’t be sure how things will turn out. Trust that little gut feeling we commonly ignore, and you just may come out of this ahead in the long run.

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