Rapti Gupta
The cut-throat competition between consumer electronics giants Samsung and Apple Inc just notched up a little higher. Samsung is all set to open retail boutique stores called “Experience Stores” in 1400 Best Buy Shops all across the U.S. throwing a direct challenge at Apple. The Facebook House, Some Real Features
Given that we are all addicted to Facebook and it might as well be called our virtual dwelling, the idea of how a home would actually look like, if they suddenly decide to design one, crept into the minds of the folks at “ Joy of Tech” – a webcomic. Legendary Florsheim Mansion on Chicago's Gold Coast Re-Listed for $2.2 Million
The historic Florsheim Mansion located on Gold Coast, Chicago has reportedly been re-listed with an asking price of $2.19 million. It is also available for rent for $7500 a month. Update: Cole Credit Rejects American Realty’s Revised Offer
The bidding battle for Cole Credit Property Trust III has finally come to an end, albeit negatively for American Realty Capital Properties (ARCP). Cole Credit has declined American Realty’s buyout offer, stating that their offer undervalued the company and also adds up to ‘unsustainable’ amounts of debt. After declining the offer, Cole Credit purchased its sponsor, Cole Holdings, Saturday, April 6. Ethan Hawke Buys Townhouse in Brooklyn for $3.9 Million
Looks like the “Sinister” star, Ethan Hawke has a thing for multiple-story townhouses. Just after news of his “colorful” Chelsea townhouse going under contract surfaced, the actor and his family has reportedly decamped to a Brooklyn area home in New York. Price tag - $3.9 million Charlie Sheen’s Beverly Hills Expansion Continues; Buys $4.8 Million Manse
When not taking “Anger Management” classes, Charlie Sheen is expanding his real estate portfolio. The comic actor has reportedly snagged his third home in Beverly Hills in the gated community of Mulholland Estate for a good $4.8 million from billionaire, Tom Gores. Fictional Hogwarts Castle Value Estimated at $204 Million
Harry Potter Fans, hold on to your real estate “Thestrals” because Hogwarts just got a brick and mortar value estimate. The famed fictional school of witchcraft and wizardry, if made real, would most likely fetch, around $204,102,000! Number of Improving Housing Markets Remains Unchanged in April, NAHB Report
A recent report released by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) revealed that the number of improving housing markets in the U.S. remained unchanged in April. Investa Property Group Plans Office Purchases worth $523 Million in Australia
Investa Property Group, a Morgan Stanley owned commercial real estate firm just declared that it will be investing around $523 million for office purchases across the Australian region. The announcement comes on the re-surging growth of commercial real estate in the country. Construction on New Transbay Transit Tower in San Francisco Breaks Ground
Construction on the brand new Transbay Transit Tower recently broke ground ceremoniously in San Francisco. The building will be the tallest structure of the city and the seventh tallest in the U.S. upon completion. Work on the tower is slated to be completed by 2017. Adele Quietly Renting in Beverly Hills (PHOTOS)
The Grammy and Oscar winning songstress, Adele is reportedly renting a plush mansion in Beverly Hills. The singer has been renting the place since late 2012 as her beach-front home in Brighton, Great Britain is under renovation. Update: Martin Zweig’s Pierre Penthouse Officially Listed for $125 Million; NYC’s Most Expensive Listing
After weeks of speculations of late financial expert, Martin Zweig’s penthouse atop the Pierre Hotel on Fifth Avenue, New York hitting the market for a much-talked-about $125 million, the place has been officially listed for the same price, making it the most expensive listing of the city. Sale of Small Home Appliances Spike on Real Estate Boom
The global real estate scenario is improving. While there are reports and studies being conducted on the effects that a boom can have on the economy, here is an interesting study that focuses on something more mundane: small home appliances. Sofia Vergara Turns Decorator; Signs Deal with Furniture Retailer Rooms To Go
The “Modern Family” actress, Sofia Vergara has signed a multi-year licensing deal with furniture retail giant “Rooms to Go”. The deal includes complete decoration solutions conceptualized by Vergara for living rooms, dining rooms and bedrooms. Kevin James’ Encino Mansion Asking for $5.5 Million (PHOTOS)
Kevin James of the “Kings and Queens” fame has reportedly hauled his luxurious mansion in Encino, California on the listing market asking for a cool $5.49 million. The hilarious “Grown-up” had purchased the home in 2003 for around $3.2 million. DOS Architects Reveal Renderings of Kurdistan’s Olympic-Size Swimming Pool (PHOTOS)
The London-based architecture firm, DOS Architects has revealed the renderings of the ‘Olympic’ size swimming pool venue in Erbil, Kurdistan. The firm had won a competition in 2012 to design the structure and has just shared its proposed plans. Is Steven Meisel Selling His Beverly Hills Home?
Rumors have it that the ace fashion photographer, Steven Meisel is shopping out his Beverly Hills mansion with a quiet pocket listing. Apparently, the home sports a price tag of $15 million. Judd Apatow and Leslie Mann Drop $10.8 Million on Malibu Mansion
The famous director and producer, Judd Apatow and his actress wife Leslie Mann have reportedly dropped $10.8 million on a cool Malibu mansion located in the posh Malibu Colony. The home previously belonged to late producer, Laura Ziskin. Top 5 Non-Housing Bubbles That Could Burst in 2013 (SLIDESHOW)
The economic and real estate scenarios all around the world are improving. In some countries, the fast paced growth is so rapid, that a bubble is inevitable. However, bubbles are not limited to stocks, shares, commodities or real estate. There are a dozen other things where growth is speeding at an abominable pace. Here is an abridged list of the non-housing bubbles that are growing larger by the day and awaiting a big pop! Huffington Post Founder Arianna Huffington Accused of Trashing NYC Loft
Arianna Huffington, founder of The Huffington Post has been accused of trashing a Chelsea, New York loft that she leased from documentary filmmaker, Eric Steel for $27,000 to $32,000 a month. Steel has filed a lawsuit in the Manhattan Supreme Court on Monday, April 1, against Huffington claiming that the apartment was found in a tragic condition after she moved out. Steel has sued her, demanding $275,000 in damages. Hyatt Selling Andaz Hotel in Downtown Napa
Hyatt Hotels is selling its Andaz boutique hotel in downtown Napa, California. The group has listed the hotel for sale and hopes to trade it away for as much as $75 million. However, Hyatt would continue managing operations of the hotel. New York’s Monterey Apartment Building Under Contract for $250 Million
Related Companies, the owner of the posh Monterey rental apartment, located on the Upper East Side of New York, has agreed to sell the building to Crammeby’s International Group for around $250 million. The building was listed for sale sometime back in January 2013 and is now under the escrow just after two months from its listing debut. Chinese Couples Rushing to Divorce to Avoid Property Taxes
A vast majority of Chinese couples are rushing to the marriage bureaus to divorce each other in order to evade a stringent property tax that local governments are now imposing to curb the red-hot property bubble in the country. Live Like Roman Emperor Tiberius; Via Del Castiglione for Sale at $44 M
The Romans had a flair for architecture and if you ever wanted to live like a Roman emperor, here is your golden chance. The Via Del Castiglione, located in the Italian island of Capri is up for grabs with a price tag of $44.8 million. The magnificent castle is said to be one of the twelve villas of Emperor Tiberius who used it as a holiday home. Five Most Unusual Haunted Places of the World (SLIDESHOW)
For ages now, the debate on fact versus fiction, and science versus philosophy, has raised an unquenchable curiosity in the minds of people. To add to the ever-existing and undying inquisitiveness, here is a list of the most haunted places on Earth. Increasing Retail Rents in Hong Kong Wiping out Small Businesses from Major Commercial Districts
Small-scale retailers and business owners are being pushed out of the market in Causeway Bay and other shopping districts of Hong Kong due to the sharp increase in rents. With a large number of bigger market players flooding the areas, mom and pop stores and ground level retailers are suffering, because landlords are hiking rents up by almost 50 to 70 percent. Blackstone Group LP Real Estate Arm Acquires Half of Multi Corp’s Debts
Blackstone Group LP’s real estate arm has reportedly taken over almost half of the Netherlands-based mall developer Multi Corp’s debts. The firm has also gained control over one of the latter’s malls in the U.K. Lakers Legend Jerry West Buys $1.3 Million Condo for Son
The legendary Lakers guard, Jerry West a.k.a "Mr.Clutch" has purchased a 3000 square feet condo in the exclusive location of MountainGate complex on the Westside of Los Angeles for his 24-year-old son. Apparently, the condo is just five minutes away from West’s home. Beckhams Set to Sell 'Beckingham Palace' for $15 Million
Famous celebrity couple, David and Victoria Beckham is all set to sell their country estate know as “The Beckingham Palace” in Hertfordshire, England as they plan to move to London. The huge mansion is listed on the open market with a $15 million price tag. Gwyneth Paltrow Ruins Chris Martin’s “Coldplay Dreamhouse” Buying Plans
Rock band “Coldplay” frontman, Chris Martin just lost a “Paradise”. Actress wife, Gwyneth Paltrow has reportedly forced Martin to cancel the buying contract on a Brentwood, California home, that the singer thought could be a place for him and his band mates to jam.
