6.5 million homes threatened by storm surges

 

Given that beachfront homes are among the most valuable properties along the coasts and also in the front line of incoming storms, the costs associated with these floods are also high.

5 States with the highest potential reconstruction costsSource: analysis of surge storm CoreLogic 2014

Flooding caused by storm surges represent a collective $1.5 trillion in potential costs of reconstruction, said the CoreLogic.

Partners: For sale - dreams of the beach houses

When tropical storms strengthen, their winds and low pressure causes collect water. The water body may hit the coast and the surge on the lowlands.

Even when hurricanes are not in the highest category, storm surges occur, warns Thomas Jeffrey, a scientist of high risk for CoreLogic.

Related: Wilder weather, small losses in 2013

The forecasts for this season are for a little less thunderstorm activity than normal.

"But the early arrival of Hurricane Arthur July 3 is an important reminder that even a hurricane of category-low or strong tropical storm can create powerful riptides, the modest floods and causes significant destruction of property," he said.

Superstorm Sandy is an excellent example. At the time wherever it struck the coast of the Atlantic in 2012, it did not meet even the definition strict of a hurricane, but all managed to make an estimated $68 billion in damage from the wave of water, that it caused along the coast line. Only Katrina, the natural disaster in American history, are more expensive.

Related: What natural disaster is likely to destroy your House?

There are 19 States in the paths of storms in the Atlantic and the Gulf.

Densely populated Florida, with its altitude shallow, is most at risk. There are 2.5 million homes that could be hit with a cost of potential damages of almost $500 billion.

 

Other vulnerable States are Louisiana, where 750,000 homes are at risk, New York had 466 919 homes, New Jersey 445 928 and Texas 434 421.

First published: 10 juillet 2014: 10: 47 et

America's homes are bigger than ever

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

The average size of homes built last year hit 2,600 square feet, an all-time high that surpassed even the housing bubble years, when homes averaged around 2,400 square feet, according to the Census Bureau.

But there is a clear difference between the days when everyone was building McMansions and what's happening post-housing crash.

First of all, the rich have gotten richer.

"If you had a lot of money in the stock market, it has doubled since 2009," said Stephen Melman, director of Economic Services for the National Association of Home Builders.

And many have used those riches to buy even bigger places, he said.

At the same time, relatively few first-time homebuyers -- the biggest market for smaller homes -- are able to buy homes, said Melman. Many young buyers are having trouble getting mortgages or are heavily in debt with student loans.

Related: Priced out: 'I can't afford a home in my town'

As a result, the market for smaller homes, of 1,400 square-feet and less, has shrunk to just 4% of homes built. That compares with 9% in 2005.

 

Meanwhile, extremely large houses -- 4,000 square feet and up -- have been making up a much larger slice of the new homes built.

Last year, these mega homes accounted for more than 9% of new homes. In 2005, they represented 6.6% of homes built.

Houses that are a little smaller but still verging on mansion territory, those between 3,000 and 4,000 square feet, made up 21.7% of new homes in 2013, up from 15.6% in 2005.

Related: America's growing affordability gap

Not only are the homes bigger, they have more rooms as well. There's the obligatory playroom, the home office, the den and the FROG, or family room over the garage.

And, of course, few children have to bunk up in an older siblings' room these days. Only 59,000 homes built last year came with less than two bedrooms, compared with more than a quarter million with four bedrooms or more.

"It's like growth is accelerating," said Melman.

First Published: June 4, 2014: 6:16 PM ET

Shopping for million-dollar homes comes with perks

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Effectuer une vente signifie en tirant tous les arrêts et mettre sur pied un plan de marketing qui pourrait inclure les bateaux promenades, avions privés ou, pour un agent immobilier, un modèle de lingerie stratégiquement placés.

Jack Cotton, un agent immobilier à Cape Cod, Massachusetts, va prendre les acheteurs potentiels son bateau à moteur. Il travaille avec des propriétés sur le haut de gamme, qu'il définit comme les 10 % du marché.

« C'est le genre de notre arme secrète », dit-il de son bateau. Ses clients profitent de croisières de la voisine navigable « expérience de la vie d'être ici. »

Il a indiqué que ses homologues dans le Colorado aura leurs clients à ski, et les agents immobiliers de Manhattan sortent des acheteurs potentiels en limousines.

Ken DeLeon, un agent immobilier à Atherton en Californie, le code postal plus en Californie, a récemment pris livraison de son avion privé. Il l'utilise pour donner à des acheteurs vues aériennes--les investisseurs surtout étrangers--de ce qui pourrait être essentiellement leur arrière-cour prochaine.

Agent immobilier en Californie Ken DeLeon parle aux clients devant son nouvelle avion privé.

Mais un avion n'est pas la seule façon de donner aux clients une vue à vol d'oiseau d'une propriété.

Les agents immobiliers utilisent désormais des drones et bourdon de technologie, comme un moyen de rester au top.

« Le marché haut de gamme est très compétitif, » a déclaré Colette Harron, agent immobilier à Essex, Connecticut « donc tout ce qu'il faut. » Sa compagnie a récemment utilisé des photographies prises par un drone pour mettre en valeur une maison grande, plusieurs millions de dollars dans le Connecticut. Le drone a été en mesure de capturer la vue imprenable sur l'eau à proximité de Long Island Sound.

Connexes : Superyachts de plus cool du monde

Dans le quartier de River Oaks bien nanti de Houston, les acheteurs sont offerts quelque chose de nouveau du constructeur Al Ross, qui met en place plusieurs grandes maisons dans la gamme de $ 4 millions à $ 5 millions.

Il comprend un service de concierge personnel avec chaque maison. Bon pour un an, le service comprend le renouvellement saisonnier de fleurs et de plantes, nettoyage du foyer extérieur et gouttières, retouches aux murs qui sont éraflés ou grattées et autres services.

Clients « veulent savoir que vous êtes là pour eux quand ils ont besoin de vous », a déclaré Ross.

Chaque maison est également livré avec une garantie de trois ans, sur sa construction. Si quelque chose se brise, il va réparer, sans poser de questions. « C'est pas différent que d'acheter une voiture très luxueuse », dit-il. « Vous attendez que tout fonctionne correctement. »

Pique-nique, n'importe qui ? Agence immobilière Jack coton dit nautique fait partie du mode de vie à Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

Pour d'autres, la vente d'une propriété haut de gamme est sur la création d'une expérience et faire un acheteur à comprendre le mode de vie qui vient avec une certaine propriété.

Agent immobilier de Los Angeles que Eric Lavey utilisé pour produire des vidéos élégantes, pilotée par le récit avec des acteurs professionnels qui a donné aux propriétaires potentiels la possibilité de voir ce que la vie pourrait ressembler dans les propriétés qu'il commercialise, qui vont généralement de $ 10 millions et plus.

Maintenant, dit-il, le marché est si chaud qu'il n'a pas le temps de créer des vidéos et se concentre plutôt sur l'obtention de ses clients des propriétés avec les deux incontournables pour sa région : points de vue et une salle de bains principale substantielle.

Connexes : Haut-gagner des codes postaux Amérique

Mais courtiser l'acheteur potentiel peut prendre plus que cela.

Michael Meier auprès du groupe de Meier à New York City va véritablement sur le dessus lorsqu'il s'agit d'imaginer un certain mode de vie. Dans un récent tournage pour un loft du centre-ville, il a ajouté un modèle de lingerie vêtue à la scène. D'un seul coup, elle a assoupli au lit avec deux modèles masculins.

"Les gens s'habillent dans les bijoux pour les rendre bon. Je m'habille maisons dans beautiful people pour les rendre bons,"Meier a déclaré du tournage, dans un récente vidéo sur son site Internet.

Connexes : Offres Crazy la concierge de luxe

Pendant ce temps, Cape Cod agent immobilier Jack Cotton a dit qu'il ne croit pas en la mise en scène pour l'acheteur haut de gamme, parce que « ce n'est pas vrai, c'est artificiel, c'est faire semblant... les gens dans le haut de gamme ne veulent pas être joué, » dit-il. « Ils veulent la vérité. » Il ne croit même pas dans le vieux truc de la cuisson des cookies avant l'affichage de l'habitation.

Il affirme que tout cela se résume à la connaissance de l'acheteur.

« Il faut s'adapter au marché que vous êtes dans », dit-il.

Première publication: 2 juillet 2014 : 10 h 33 HE

For sale: Dream beach homes

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

For under $2 million, you can get a whole lot of vacation home.

This rambling four-bedroom contemporary is crammed with charming nooks and architectural touches.

Related: $25 million homes around the world

The interior resembles a rustic retreat with high, wood-paneled ceilings and stone work. There are several fireplaces and wood stoves, a wine cellar, a wet bar, a guest house, even room to park an RV.

But now for the best part: location.

Game: What super rich celebrity do you spend like?

The home is situated on a wooded lot of more than an acre, with commanding views of Oregon's rocky shore. Nearby is Yaquina Bay and several state beaches and parks.

The home has been on and off the market since 2012. Originally listed at $2.6 million, it has been marked down by more than a third since.

For further information: Trulia

For sale: Dream beach homes

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

For under $2 million, you can get a whole lot of vacation home.

This rambling four-bedroom contemporary is crammed with charming nooks and architectural touches.

Related: $25 million homes around the world

The interior resembles a rustic retreat with high, wood-paneled ceilings and stone work. There are several fireplaces and wood stoves, a wine cellar, a wet bar, a guest house, even room to park an RV.

But now for the best part: location.

Game: What super rich celebrity do you spend like?

The home is situated on a wooded lot of more than an acre, with commanding views of Oregon's rocky shore. Nearby is Yaquina Bay and several state beaches and parks.

The home has been on and off the market since 2012. Originally listed at $2.6 million, it has been marked down by more than a third since.

For further information: Trulia

America's homes are bigger than ever

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

The average size of homes built last year hit 2,600 square feet, an all-time high that surpassed even the housing bubble years, when homes averaged around 2,400 square feet, according to the Census Bureau.

But there is a clear difference between the days when everyone was building McMansions and what's happening post-housing crash.

First of all, the rich have gotten richer.

"If you had a lot of money in the stock market, it has doubled since 2009," said Stephen Melman, director of Economic Services for the National Association of Home Builders.

And many have used those riches to buy even bigger places, he said.

At the same time, relatively few first-time homebuyers -- the biggest market for smaller homes -- are able to buy homes, said Melman. Many young buyers are having trouble getting mortgages or are heavily in debt with student loans.

Related: Priced out: 'I can't afford a home in my town'

As a result, the market for smaller homes, of 1,400 square-feet and less, has shrunk to just 4% of homes built. That compares with 9% in 2005.

 

Meanwhile, extremely large houses -- 4,000 square feet and up -- have been making up a much larger slice of the new homes built.

Last year, these mega homes accounted for more than 9% of new homes. In 2005, they represented 6.6% of homes built.

Houses that are a little smaller but still verging on mansion territory, those between 3,000 and 4,000 square feet, made up 21.7% of new homes in 2013, up from 15.6% in 2005.

Related: America's growing affordability gap

Not only are the homes bigger, they have more rooms as well. There's the obligatory playroom, the home office, the den and the FROG, or family room over the garage.

And, of course, few children have to bunk up in an older siblings' room these days. Only 59,000 homes built last year came with less than two bedrooms, compared with more than a quarter million with four bedrooms or more.

"It's like growth is accelerating," said Melman.

First Published: June 4, 2014: 6:16 PM ET

Shopping for homes of $ million comes with benefits

 

Make a sale means pulling all the stops and put together a marketing plan which could include boats walks, private or, for a real estate agent, aircraft model lingerie strategically placed.

Jack Cotton, a real estate agent in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, will take potential buyers his motorboat. He works with properties on the high end, that he defined as 10% of the market.

"This is the kind of our secret weapon," he says of his boat. Guests take advantage of cruises from the nearby waterway 'experience of life to be here."

He indicated that counterparts in Colorado will have their clients to ski, and real estate agents in Manhattan out of potential buyers into limousines.

Ken DeLeon, a Realtor for Atherton in California, postal code more in California, recently took delivery of his private plane. He uses it to give buyers views air - especially foreign investors - what could essentially be their next backyard.

California real estate agent Ken DeLeon speaks to customers before his new private plane.

But a plane is not the only way to give customers a crow flies of a property.

Real estate agents now use drones and drone technology as a way to stay on top.

"The high-end market is very competitive," said Colette Harron, real estate agent in Essex, Connecticut "so whatever it takes." His company recently used photographs taken by a drone to highlight a great House, several million dollars in Connecticut. The drone was able to capture the breathtaking view on the water near Long Island Sound.

Related: Superyachts of coolest worldwide

In the affluent River Oaks neighborhood of Houston, buyers are offered something new the Al Ross constructor, which sets up several large houses in the range of $ 4 million to $ 5 million.

It includes a personal concierge with each house service. Good for a year, the service includes the seasonal renewal of flowers and plants, cleaning of the outdoor fireplace and gutters, retouching the walls which are scraped or scratched and other services.

Customers "want to know that you are there for them when they need you", said Ross.

Each home also comes with a three year warranty on its construction. If something breaks, it will repair, no questions asked. "It's no different than to buy a very luxurious car," he said. "You expect that everything is working properly."

Picnic, anyone? Agency real estate Jack cotton said boating is part of life in Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

For others, the sale of a high range property is about creating an experience and make a buyer to understand the way of life that comes with a certain property.

Real estate agent Los Angeles Eric Lavey used to produce elegant videos, driven by narrative with professional actors who gave potential owners the opportunity to see what life might look like in the properties that it markets, typically ranging from $10 million and more.

Now, he said, the market is so hot that he doesn't have the time to create videos and focuses instead on getting clients properties with the two for its region: views and a substantial main bathroom.

Related: Top-earning American postal codes

But wooing the potential buyer may take more than that.

Michael Meier Meier in New York City Group will really on top when it comes to imagine a certain lifestyle. In a recent filming for a downtown loft, he added a model for lingerie dressed to the scene. Suddenly, she has relaxed in bed with two male models.

"People dress in jewelry to make them good. I dress houses in beautiful people to make them good, "Meier said filming, in a recent video on its website."

Related: Offers Crazy luxury concierge

Meanwhile, Cape Cod real estate agent Jack Cotton said he believes not in the staging for the top buyer of range, because "this is not true, it is artificial, it is seeming... people in the high end will not be played," he said. "They want the truth." It does even not in the old trick of cookies cooking before the housing.

It says that it all comes down to the knowledge of the purchaser.

"You have to adapt to the market you are in", he said.

First published: 2 juillet 2014: 10: 33 et

Here's What Wealthy People Want In Their Luxury Homes

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota
In its annual Luxury Lifestyle Report, Sotheby’s International Realty breaks down what’s important to wealthy real estate buyers.

When it came to amenities, Sotheby’s International Realty brokers said the number of clients who wanted a home with “smart amenities” has increased drastically over the last two years. These include appliances, lighting, entertainment systems, security, and more that can be controlled remotely from anywhere in the world.

China’s wealthy real estate investors also valued space to display their massive art collections, while U.S. buyers were mostly interested in having a multi-car collector’s garage, according to the report.

But location was definitely the top priority for luxury buyers around the world, with 71% of respondents telling Sotheby’s International Realty they would pay more for the home's location over its size, historic significance, or previous (famous) owners.

And where do the 1% around the world want to live? Anywhere close to the water.

Luxury buyers in the U.S., Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Switzerland, the U.K., Brazil, Hong Kong, Japan, Thailand, China, Australia, New Zealand, as well as those in Caribbean and Central America all searched predominantly for waterfront properties on sothebysrealty.com.

But high-end buyers from Spain, Venezuela, and Mexico were all more likely to look for mountain mansions. Russia was a major outlier, with its wealthy residents searching for countryside properties 83% of the time.

The survey was sent to Sotheby’s International Realty's affluent consumers over 25 years old all over the world, from the U.S. to China, between January 28 and February 18, 2014. Search data came from sothebysrealty.com using Google Website Analytics between January 1, 2013 and January 1, 2014. You can read more about the methodology here.