How much house you get for $2m nationally; On airline misery; Two opponents united

Several things are on my mind this week... here we go:

You may remember a weirdo in Raleigh, NC, who objected to a modern home being built after it was approved and half finished?

Well, the petty-minded neighbour lost, and the owners can complete construction of their modest modern in the Oakwood neighbourhood.

The Weber house by Weber/Matsumoto, 1953

Now fate brought two former opponents in that case together again. How? A Raleigh homeowner wants to remove the historic designation she had sought for her 1953 modernist home, the Weber house.

At Wiesner vs. Cherry/Gordon on opposite sides, now North Carolina Modernist Homes and the Oak City Preservation Alliance are united in fighting against that little side-step, which seems driven by the owner's awakened sense of marketability.

Her argument: though she hopes the next owner will enjoy the house as it is, but: when she is ready to sell she could do so much easier without the burden of the designation.

So why seek it in the first place – for a tax break perhaps? Read all the juicy details at the News & Observer.

Lively mod scene up there, ain't it? And: did I mention that preservation starts with the seller, not the buyer?

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Off-topic: Bad week for Jet Blue-flyers. The once rule-breaking and beloved airline caved in – a sign of modern times?

It will A) charge for checked bags (yup), B) will start a tiered pricing system for tickets – the more flexibility you want, the more you pay – and C) will introduce a "cabin refresh".

That is what Caroline Costello over at SmarterTravel correctly calls "a pleasant-sounding way to tell us that other peoples' seatbacks (and elbows) will be closer than ever", and their planes "are going to get more crowded, with less available overhead-bin space".

Which leaves Southwest – for now – as the only domestic carrier where luggage flies for free.

But much more important: if your travel plans change, as mine did for reasons outside of my control three times this year, SWA does not charge re-booking fees.

Correct: no re-booking fee, only any possible fare difference. That policy saved my bacon three times in 2014 – this weekend one of those instances – and makes SWA my Go-To domestic carrier, preferred by lightyears.

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The Duenke house by Ralph Fournier

Finally, back to Real Estate:

The Gray Lady (nickname for the New York Times stemming from the time before it started printing in colour) published an overview how much house you will get for $2,000,000 nationwide.

Following that, in my next post I will show you what $2m buys in South Florida.  


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Photos: News&Observer, New York Times

Economic boost for Miami through EB-5 designation; Matsumoto Prize

Miami to receive economic boost through EB-5 program

Miami has received an EB-5 Regional Center for Foreign Investment designation, making it easier – and more attractive – for foreigners to invest in South Florida.

The City of Miami has received approval for designation as an EB-5 Regional Center for Foreign Investment under the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services immigrant investment visa program.

By utilizing the EB-5 investment program, foreign capital investment in Miami is expected to increase, which in turn will likely translate into the creation of thousands of new jobs and economic growth for both the city and the entire South Florida region.

Mayor Tomas Regalado said the approval by the USCIS is a “tremendous vote of confidence”.

The program allows the city to assist foreign nationals who inject capital in to the U.S. economy by granting them special immigration status. To be accepted into the program, investors must spend at least $500,000 and prove in two years that they created 10 jobs.

Please contact me for more details if you are interested.
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Matsumoto Prize for Modern Architecture

The George Matsumoto Prize is a unique design competition, focusing on Modernist houses in North Carolina. It features a jury of internationally-known award-winning architects, and an online People's Choice Vote. 

Which is where you come into play.

Matsumoto was one of the founding faculty members of the NCSU School of Design, who created some of North Carolina's most well-known and well-loved Modernist houses.

The Matsumoto Prize engages the public in the value of architecture, and demonstrates the unique talent of exceptional Modernist architects and designers in North Carolina. 

Voting is open until 5 pm Eastern on Sunday, July 13. You do not have to live in NC to vote, but you better have an opinion about modern architecture (good taste doesn't hurt). 

I participate every year and can tell you it really is fun - so head over to the Matsumoto Prize page, take your time to evaluate the entries and cast your vote – it does count! 

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Photo: Lebda Guest House by Michael Kersting