Merry Christmas...

 

...and a healthy, happy and prosperous 2011!

 

(Photo: near Tutzing/Bavaria; ©tckaiser)

Lies Have Short Legs

That's the translation of a common German saying "Lügen haben kurze Beine", meaning that lies don't make it very far. Doesn't that make more sense than setting the pants of a liar ablaze?

Mutual respect in business relationships: I very much appreciate it, I often encounter it, I wrote about it before. But sometimes values get so blatantly violated that I have to air my frustration first before I can move on to the lesson. Which I did learn. Here's what happened:

In October, Brent B., an American who lives in China, contacted me to find a modern home in Florida. He stated he's not working with another Realtor; we communicated regularly and often. Altogether I sent him 42 listings. 

Arriving in Florida the Saturday before Thanksgiving, he had requested to see three of those the following Tuesday. I emailed Brent before he left China, and again on the day of his arrival. No response – odd. Tuesday evening, I received an email from him (the juicy bits are in bold):

Tobias,

That would be great. I was wanting to see some properties further up north and would like to see what a nice home out there would cost. I have heard offers are being taken, at some point, near half what the asking price is...

Let me know, thanks for the time and looking forward to our 3rd meeting. Regarding todays properties, our favorite was the 3rd (looks) the second (neighborhood) and 1st for (style) , but after some time and thought, we will probably pass as of now.

Best,
Brent-

Four minutes later, a second email:

Tobias,

Mixing agents, we went out with an Agent introduced by a family friend in Miami today who is actually living in Fort Lauderdale, so the second part of that mail was for him and did not know if you were able to schedule for Friday so we scheduled with him (tentatively) .

If you would still like to meet up, let me know as I will try to rearrange an email.

Once again, sorry for the mix up.
Brent-

Leaving the barn-sized hole in his explanation aside, not having heard from Brent is quite understandable. He was a busy bee, meeting a Realtor colleague twice and setting up a third appointment. Only a cynic would question if he would have told me without the mix up. Or if he told my colleague that he was in contact with me for two months, having received 42 listings.

And the lesson? 

For real estate buyers and sellers: Be honest. Be respectful. Don't lie; it's bad for you/your dogs/children/breath. 

For real estate professionals: ask if the prospect works with another Realtor. Ask again. And make clear what your position on lack of integrity is. Mine: I don't accept it. I have enough clients who have the right to my honest, professional, undivided and respectful attention. I don't have time to waste with clowns.
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As a story of friends of mine unfolds, I am writing an interesting post: The Case Against Building Long-Distance. Currently it reads like the script for a bad high-school play, it's that pathetic. Stay tuned.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Pepsie ad from the 1950s, source unknown.

Tune in next week: "Lies have short Legs".

Modern Homes in Germany

End of September and into October, I was working in Germany,  in Munich as well as in Düsseldorf, which is located on the banks of the Rhine river.

Perhaps you're like me: I can't drive or walk around without looking at the architecture that surrounds me. And since it's too early anyway for October market statistics, a few houses that caught my eye:

In Düsseldorf-Kaiserswerth, overlooking the Rhine, a lovingly renovated home from the early '50s. Note flat tile roof, blacked-out window frames and balanced proportions.

On the banks of the Rhine at above location, floodplain and a sliver of water on the left.

New entrance of above house, integrated into existing landscaping.

Same street: Single family home, with ramp to underground garage on right.

Note overall balance, with carefully weighted fields of glass, white stucco and sandstone. No garage doors to disturb the front elevation.

Low-key midcentury home in Düsseldorf-Oberkassel, also on the Rhine. Front is completely clad in white marble, typical for '70s building in the area.

New construction on a hillside in Starnberg, outside Munich. Note drystacked wall - stones are set by master craftsmen as delivered, without additional cutting on site.

Another new construction, overlooking Lake Starnberg. Lot value alone is probably in excess of $2.5M.

View from the terrace, overlooking the lake. Winter view will only improve with less foliage. Photos of the finished home to come after completion.

If you wonder about lack of property details: no, I wasn't too lazy to research. Germans are very private people, and information that is readily available in the US – property sales records, lot sizes, owner names etc. - is all strictly guarded in Germany, protected by privacy laws. Facebook it ain't. From a US Realtor's perspective, it seems odd, but privacy does have advantages, doesn't it?

The Modernist Castle Dilemma

A problem that could be facing any modernist lover, any day, anywhere: 

What to do you if you own an old burned-out castle in Germany you don’t want to rehab for $9m to live in it? Silly question; you build on top of it.

In 1830, the Löwis of Menar family purchased the Mauren chateau near Stuttgart in Southwest Germany as a summer residence. It was constructed approximately two centuries before and burned out in 1943, hit by British bombs. During WWII, the Krohmer family, direct descendants of the Menar family, made do in the stables, the burned-out castle was off limits (‘yeah right’, said the kids). After the war, preservationists wanted to rebuild ("your money is no object"). Though the owners were able to keep the castle from further decay, they couldn’t actually use it.

Over several decades, the family had repeatedly considered how to make use of the large lot and make the ruins habitable again. Rebuilding according to original plans would have created approx. 14,000 sf of living space, at a cost of ca. 6.5m Euros (approx. $9.1m as of Oct 2010).

"Then as now, way too expensive for us," says grandfather Ernst Krohmer. "And who wants to live like that anyway," asks his daughter-in-law Anke. "We wanted something modern but not fashionable, tying new in with the old."

As often with such projects, the right architect made all the difference. Ingo Bucher-Beholz, first very hesitant to accept the commission, changed his mind after visiting the site. On the evening of his visit he faxed a draft, showing the castle walls topped by a steel structure and two cubic buildings. 

After decades of no solution in sight, suddenly everything fell into place very quickly. Plans were approved because the new development does not destroy the historic construction, instead hovering 18 feet above it. The two buildings, home to three generations of the Krohmer family, cost 210,000 Euro (ca. $294,000) each, offering 1,500 sf of living space per home. They are divided into four equal-sized rooms, two bathrooms and an open living/dining/kitchen area.

A steel bridge connects the two bungalows, a common staircase leads downstairs. There, kids bikes and barbecue grills are parked, and family parties take place in the shade of the homes above. Says a delighted Felix Krohmer: "That we can live this way is a gift."

Based on an article published in the FAZ. Photos by Jens Gyarmaty and Zoom61 (#4).

200th Oktoberfest

If you think "hold it, there really is no connection between "Modern", "South" or "Florida" and the Oktoberfest", think again:

Munich is located in the South of Germany.

Handy Germany map shows N, S, E, W and Munich location

Only someone supercritical  would call that stretching it just a bit.

Today was the opening of the 200th Oktoberfest, the first one celebrated 1810 on the occasion of a Royal Bavarian wedding, Crown Prince Ludwig (later King Ludwig I) and Princess Therese of Saxen-Hildburghausen (full 411 on Wikipedia.)

Now, if you think her name reminds you of a German wine label: stop that, you're being mean.

Gunshot salutes on the opening of the 200th "Wiesn". ©dpa

Munich breweries joined forces to brew (!) a commemorative beer.
Commemoration lasts until the stein is empty. ©sz/Lisa Sonnabend

15 more Oktoberfest photos – with German captions, sorry – in today's Munich newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung. Prost!

Fall Decorating

 
First though, a special treat I found yesterday, only 6'31'' long but jaw-droppingly fascinating: the video "The Known Universe".

Created by the American Museum of Natural History, it takes viewers from the Himalayas through our atmosphere and the inky black of space to the afterglow of the Big Bang. And back to earth, thankfully.

I recommend to watch it in full screen, and if you have a fast internet connection, in 720p.
_

FALL DECORATING TIPS

The classic, earthy colors associated with Fall decorations are an homage to Mother Nature herself. The burnt oranges, browns, and golden wheats are the colors we witness first-hand as the seasons change.

But the changes in color aren't just for out of doors. These days, the most savvy of decorators bring the season inside.

How can you makeover your home for Fall?

Here are some simple ways to capture the spirit of the season, without turning off potential home buyers.

Changing Tablescapes: When staging your home, your dining room does wonders for setting a mood. And in the Fall, that mood is magnified by family dinners and the holidays. To take advantage of the season, change up your tablescape.

The first step can be to change your tablecloth or runner to richer, more earthy tones. If you are a true do-it-yourselfer, you can find seasonal fabrics at your local fabric store. A runner is as simple as cutting a straight line and making neat edges.

Next, invest in gold or jewel color chargers that will accent your family china. A charger is simply the decorative "plate" that is used to dress up your dining table.

And finally, don't be afraid to set a theme. Mini-pumpkins can be used to hold name-cards. Use the florals of the season, such as holly berries and decorate branches to create a festive centerpiece. And accent the table with beautiful leaves.

Scents: Fall is a great time for warm, rich scents, such as apple-cinnamon, French Vanilla, and anything related to cookies or baked goods! Just keep them away from your dining table, so that their scent doesn't overpower the tantalizing aroma of your home-cooked meal.

Welcome Wagon: The first thing your buyer sees is your front door. So, make this space inviting. Use mats, wreaths, or a simple hanging cornucopia as a seasonal display.

Swap out Fabric: It's time to get cozy on the couch. Bring out your favorite throws, especially those in luxurious chenille or velvet! And don't forget to add a cozy blanket to your guest rooms as well.

Fall colors are a fun way to welcome guests, so take advantage of the season!

Used with permission. © Carla Hill/Realty Times
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I.M. Sep 11, 2001