Who’s Who In Luxury Real Estate’s Fall Conference featured Jim Walberg as one of the presenters.

Twice a year Realtors from all over the world gather at the Who’s Who In Luxury Real Estate conferences.   This is the group that represents the best Realtors from almost 70 countries with only 1,900 members.  Their Fall Conference just concluded in Philadelphia at the Ritz Carlton.   Their Winter Conference is in Paris in January.

I was invited to be a presenter at the conference by John Brian Losh  – founder of Luxury Real Estate.  My topic was profitable internet marketing using blogging as the tool, because of the results that have been created with Caribbean Islands Realty.  Luxury Real Estate’s blog site publishes  many of my articles each month about what is happening in the Caribbean real estate markets.  ALL of the buyers and sellers that have contracted Caribbean Islands Realty have come from our internet blogsite.  ( The photograher for all of the Luxury Real Estate conferences is Ilya Photography.  Ilya is one of the best in the business.)

During the conference I renewed old friendships and made many new ones with the top Realtors in the WORLD – from Australia, Europe, Canada and the US.  I even wore a tux!!!  It was an inspiring experience to share time and information with such a prestigious group of professionals.  I had not been in Philadelphia since I was ten years old, so it was amazing to walk through the headquarters of liberty for our country.

I took an afternoon off and just walked several miles visiting Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell,  the hall where our first Congress convened, and Thomas Jefferson’s garden where he met with Lewis and Clark before their unbelievable expedition of the Western United States.  I was moved by the courage of our Founding Fathers in spite of their fears.  They did not let fear paralyze their commitment to gain the liberty that all of us enjoy today.

My walk last Saturday in Philadelphia reminded me of the scary times we are in today with the world economic meltdown underway.  Many people are paralyzed with fear and believe there is little to hope for.  My focus is where are the opportunities?  We will figure out how to get through this significant moment in our world’s history.  Do you know why?  Because, we don’t have a choice. 

When I mentioned opportunities all around us, how about an 18% increase in Caribbean real estate sales the past 12 months?  The Caribbean fractional / residence club  properties have even more sales.  How about the great prices for real estate in our local communities?  Remember a past article about fear  - FEAR = False Evidence Appearing Real.  So, fear is a bad place to hang out.  If you are thinking of a second or third home in Paradise, today is the day to take action.  Contact me  or leave a comment so we can assist you with your next Caribbean purchase.  Besides gaining a piece of Paradise, we will also have lots of fun!  Until next time…fair winds in the midst of stormy times.

Ilya Moshenskiy is one of the finest real estate photographers that I have met!

 I first met Ilya at the Luxury Real Estate conference in Del Mar, California several months ago.  He seemed to be everywhere during the conference taking photos of the participants and various events.  I final asked one of the Luxury Real Estate staff people who was this guy!  She smiled and said that he is the finest photographer they had found for capturing the essence of luxury real estate homes and estates.  I began some homework after the conference to see some examples of this work since we always need a top photographer’s services for the luxury properties we represent – both in the Caribbean and the San Francisco Bay Area.  Boy, was I impressed with what I discovered.

 My experience is that Ilya’s Photography sets one of the highest standards for quality in the industry with over 30 years of experience. Ilya is the principal photographer of Ilya’s Photography, and he has enjoyed a lifelong passion his work with the camera.  His reputation for excellence has spread both in the U.S. and internationally.  Ilya has shot luxury estates in France, Spain, Switzerland, Costa Rica, Miami, Chicago, the Seattle area, plus many other locations in the States and the world.  After checking out his work, my next question was, “How much does this type of quality photography cost for shooting a luxury home or estate?”  Well, I discovered that he has VERY competitive rates that are negotiated flat-rate prices for any project.  He is even willing to offer long-term budgeted photo-shoot contracts.  His flat-rate policy is greatly appreciated within our industry because it is THE rate no matter how much time it takes to complete the project.  Again, I don’t think you will find a better value for your marketing dollar if you decide on Ilya’s photo services.

 In further discussions with the staff at Luxury Real Estate their consensus was that Ilya consistently produces quality work and can make a home or an estate look amazing.  They said he has the ability to capture on digital film the best aspects of the luxury property.  As promised, I am always on the look out for the best professional services I can find, whether it is a photographer or a painter.  It takes a “village” to sell and buy a home – from the preparation of the marketing program to the signing of the closing documents, hiring a professional real estate company is critical.  Until next time….fair winds!