Rocky Mountain Modern

Julia Broder -- Happy New Year from The Riverside Realty Group in beautiful Westport, CT! I hope you are having a fantastic time rebounding from the Holiday Whirl.

Great Start! Luxe Property Lovers . . . what a wonderful way to start the New Year. Rates are down, and I know you are figuring out what to do with that bonus you're getting!

My 2008 resolutions include taking this Luxe Properties column to a whole new level! Each week I will showcase a special luxe property . . . luxury properties from the best independent boutique firms, of course! I want you to learn all about luxe areas and beautiful residences that are for sale . . . ready for a wonderful buyer like you. 

Let's Go Rockies! Luxe Lovers, I'm taking you to the world-famous downhill skiing town . . . Aspen, Colorado!!! It's easily accessible by private jet or commercial airline . . . and I've scoped it out, just for you! You see, I have exceptional connections all over the world.

Luxe to the Max: What other town had a survey in their newspaper last week, Should Aspen do something to clamp down on the paparazzi? Let’s face it . . . the paparazzi probably want to have a good vacation too! They know a great luxe area of the country to hang out in.

With local celebs like Kevin Kostner, Michael Douglas, Goldie and Kurt, Jack Nicholson, and Antonio and Melanie, part of the fun is dining and dancing with your favorite personalities . . . or falling down the mountain next to an international mogul . . . or taking a yoga class from instructors who are the Best in the West!

Such a Hard Choice! Activities? Where to begin? If you lived in Aspen, you could do some world-class shopping . . . drop into one of the best spas . . . the Aspen Athletic Club. Oh, yes . . . you can also go skiing on four mountains at Snowmass! There are amazing things to do all around Aspen . . . filled with Nature's sublime beauty.

Culture Club: Luxe Property Hounds, let's not forget the fabulous Aspen Art Museum . . . The Wheeler/Stallard House Museum, the cultural arts jewel of Aspen . . . the summer world-class Aspen Music Festival . . . the Aspen Institute, site of the some of the world's most amazing and important public seminars, including the Aspen Environment Forum this coming March (sponsored by the Institute and National Geographic).

Go Extreme! Outrageous cool things to do in Aspen . . . paintballing, skateboarding, hiking and mountain biking, fly fishing, hidden cave exploring, camping in the most gorgeous surroundings! Last but not least . . . the world’s highest official Disc Golf course! 

It's About Lifestyle . . . and you will only find the best amenities in Aspen. Are you solo? Are you coupled? Are you an entire family? There's a scene for everyone in relaxed, chic Aspen.

Our Aspen Featured Luxe Property: This week we have a truly extraordinary luxe home (see photo above) . . . it's fantastic inside and out and among the town's finest residences! It was designed by one of Aspen's top West End architects, completed in 2006. 

It's a Rocky Mountain Modern turn on the beloved Aspen Victorian. And these luxe digs are sited on a rare historic lot split -- you can build on an undeveloped parcel!

It's a fabulous 4-bedroom, 4-and-a-half-bath home in the Got-To-Live-There West End.

Nothing was overlooked! This home is extraordinary, from the front and back entry terraces and landscaping to the interior construction details.

House Highlights:

4,280 sq. ft. of cutting-edge, innovative design for a comfortable Aspen lifestyle

Open living area

Gorgeous alder wood ceiling detail

Large windows located both in the front and back . . . allowing natural light to drench every room

Three spacious living levels

Stone fireplaces

Beautifully concealed, temperature- and humidity-controlled wine room

Gourmet kitchen with dramatic lighting . . . sophisticated, low-profile cabinetry . . . slab granite countertops . . . handcrafted caramel-colored glass backsplash . . . stainless steel appliances

Bedrooms with custom built-in cabinetry

Surround-sound media system

Lower level home theater for all your private screenings . . . with fireplace and wet bar . . . and soundproofing on walls and ceilings to perfect this special entertainment area

Modern bathrooms

Mudroom with built-in storage

Centrally-located modern, sculptural wooden staircase . . . supported by three individual beams . . . bordered by a wall of large glass windows to help you enjoy the view of the mature landscaping and Aspen's natural beauty

Best in the West! This distinctive home has a fresh, modern perspective . . . exceptional architecture and interior design . . . a prestigious West End address, close to all important Aspen amenities . . . great privacy, drama, ease of living, and luxury. This special luxe property has it all.

Give Me a Call at 1-203-247-7500: Ask for more information about this "Rocky Mountain Modern" luxe property, and I'll put you in touch with a great agent in Aspen! My luxe property network consists of the finest agents and properties in the world!  And call me for advice on how to help you list and sell your beautiful home . . . or help you find a new home for 2008.

Till next week . . . I'm getting my next luxe property ready to showcase, and we'll travel together to another fantastic community!

All the best,

Julia Broder

                      

Photo Credits: Concierge.com, Discovering Colorado

THE GIFT

Julia Broder -- As a Realtor, homeowner, and family member, I wanted to reflect and give thanks on this holiday season . . . and I wanted to tell you about the ultimate gift I am so lucky to receive each and every year!

My Pleasure! I give thanks for THE GIFT of all the clients and colleagues who entrust me with their real estate needs and desires. My colleagues and I at The Riverside Realty Group in Westport, CT like to go beyond the “business of real estate” . . . and we really consider it an honor to become a part of your growing and changing family.

Time Flies . . . I have been fortunate that many of you have been with me for multiple moves over the years. But more importantly, I have been there to share your personal milestones . . . weddings . . . births . . . retirement . . . inheritance . . . new businesses . . . all are major changes that I enjoy celebrating with you!

And In Hard Times . . . I am honored to be there for you . . . to console and counsel you to the best of my ability when you were going through difficult times. I take pride in getting the most for your real estate investments at all times. In 2007, I saw many of my clients' parents pass on . . . delicate times where I assumed the trusted, important responsibility of helping families make their real estate decisions.

Transitions . . . This was a year for moving many of your parents into your homes. I helped you to expand your present house or move you to a larger residence. And I also helped you find assisted care for some of your elderly parents.

I Love It! You found out that I'm excited about living in our community. And Luxe Lovers, I love what I do! I'm delighted that many of you got to know me better during the past year. You learned that I will not sell a house just to move a piece of property.

The Big Move: I love moving you physically into a new home . . .  and emotionally into the new community you have picked! You will make the right real estate choice when you have been educated on Location, Location , Location. You, your family, your new house, and your new community must all be a great match . . . and if not, I will discourage you from jumping into the wrong situation.

At Your Service! I love moving you into the fabulous luxe homes you have chosen to purchase for living or for investment purposes. I offer you our beautiful listings at The Riverside Realty Group . . . our team covers all parts of the world . . . and we can take you anywhere you want to live!

Forever? Nothing is permanent. We will always experience changes during the Cycle of Life . . . and I will help you find the real estate “fit” for whatever life brings your way.

I help enlighten you to “love where you buy” . . . and my clients use me as their sounding board and agent for purchasing and selling their luxe homes all over the world.

It Was a Very Good Year! I was grateful that my 2007 sales price ratio and market time was superior to our area's average. The real estate group I was part of in 2007 sold listings at over 96 % of the asking price with only an average of 77 days on market! This could not have been possible without the trust you give me to get your properties sold . . . and I'm grateful to you!

THE GREATEST GIFT: My clients make this work joyous . . . and I love the responsibility for helping communities grow and thrive. I work hard to make your real estate experiences enjoyable and fruitful . . . and I receive THE GIFT . . . which is YOU, my wonderful clients . . . every day . . . and I thank you!

You have come to work with me from so many places this year . . . from many parts of the world . . . Scotland, England, Italy, Greece, Japan, Ireland, New England, California, Texas, Illinois, Kansas, New York City, Long Island -- just to name a few! You have been buying luxe properties and referring me to buyers and sellers in many foreign lands . . . and I'm delighted to work with you!

The New Year. 2008 looks like a great year for you luxe buyers out there . . . with more special inventory than ever before . . . and fabulous new resort areas popping up around the globe for your special second home!

My weekly articles for Design2Share are a gift from me to you as I reflect on what I've seen and shared with many of my clients in the past year. Please know, Luxe Lovers, that you are all very special to me . . . and I look forward to seeing you in the New Year . . . because you are THE GIFT!

Give Me a Call at 1-203-247-7500: Ask me for more information about amazing luxe properties . . . advice on how to help you list and sell your beautiful home . . . or help finding a new home for 2008. Till next week . . . I hope you are having a beautiful holiday season.

I hope for a Peaceful, Healthy, and Prosperous -- make that LUXE -- New Year for all!

All the best,

Julia Broder

                      

Photo Credits: Siliconeer, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Daily Telegraph, Coldwell Banker Property Australia