We don’t consider ourselves a Real Estate Blog for this purpose but it’s great to see blogs helping people with such an important life decision.

Consumers can now get the inside scoop on real estate from REALTORS through a new blog program recently launched by REALTOR.com, Featured Blog and “Let’s Talk Real Estate!”

Created to help consumers sift through rhetoric and connect with industry professionals, the 6 million monthly visitors at REALTOR.com can now tap into blog posts that cover local neighborhood information, negotiating strategies, valuations, hot local real estate trends, and more. Consumers can also use the blogs at REALTOR.com as a search and evaluation tool to select an agent that best fits their needs as they read posts from numerous REALTORS versed in different areas of expertise.

“People across the nation are talking about real estate and the housing market,” said REALTOR.com President, Errol Samuelson. “There’s a tremendous amount of information available that can be confusing or not relevant to someone’s specific interests or local area. The blog program on REALTOR.com connects consumers with experts so they can get information on specific industry trends, become familiar with a REALTOR in their area and gain a better understanding of their own local market.”

Through the Featured Blog program, real estate enthusiasts and house hunters can become part of a local online community as they search for property listings and information. Each Featured Blog is hosted and written by agents whose posts give a snapshot into their market. Videos and photos can also be included as part of a blog to bring life to listings and neighborhoods. The most topical Featured Blog posts generated by individual agents are spotlighted in the “Let’s Talk Real Estate!” blog program, accessible on the home page of REALTOR.com. Consumers can post their own questions and comments or click through to connect directly with the agent when a post, property, neighborhood or agent sparks interest.

“Blogs on REALTOR.com offer consumers an opportunity to tap into our extensive network of knowledgeable industry experts for answers to real estate-related questions around the clock,” says Samuelson. “It’s also one of the best ways for consumers to know if an agent specializes in a particular area such as investment properties, condos, first time purchases, or high-end listings. They’re a simple, effective and convenient way for consumers to connect with the information and expertise they need to make smart decisions about real estate.”

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Watch Frank Lloyd Wright’s incredible house in Bear Run, PA, be built from the ground up before your eyes - foundations, framing and all - then take a brilliant tour around, above, below and inside of this masterpiece. I have rarely seen such gorgeous animation, and the subject matter couldn’t have been better chosen. Watch Falling Water

Price: $122.2 million
Location: Windlesham, England

Your blood may not run blue, but with enough green you can still live near—and like—royalty. Updown Court is currently the most expensive residence in the world, costing about $50 million more than the priciest U.S. home. The brand-new property is totally over the top, with 103 rooms, five swimming pools and 24-carat-gold leafing on the study’s mosaic floor. There’s a squash court, bowling alley, tennis court, 50-seat screening room, heated marble driveway and helipad. All eight of your limousines will fit in the underground garage. Then there are the neighbors, who include the queen (at Windsor Castle) and Elton John. It is listed with Savills and Hamptons International.

Price: $75 million
Location: Bridgehampton, N.Y.

Palatial homes and high property prices are common in New York’s favorite high-end resort area. This 25,000-square-foot house is done to the highest standards, but it’s the extras that really pump up the price. Three Ponds encompasses 60 acres of rolling waterfront farmland, with a U.S. Golf Association-rated golf course (plus pro shop), 75-foot-long swimming pool, grass tennis court and orangery. The 14 gardens include a crabapple allée; vegetable garden; lily walk; and rose, hydrangea and butterfly gardens. Of course, there are also the three ponds stocked with fish. Three Ponds is listed with Susan Breitenbach at Allen M. Schneider Associates.

Price: $70 million
Location: New York, N.Y.

The triplex penthouse at the Pierre is the ne plus ultra of Manhattan apartment living—if one may prosaically call it that. The hotel’s top three floors, including the original Pierre ballroom with its 23-foot-high ceilings, offer 360-degree views of New York City from windows and terraces. The home features an opulent black marble staircase, 20-foot French windows, double reception rooms and a paneled library. Should the asking price seem too steep, the property is also available in two parts, at $11 million and $59 million. The latter, incidentally, would still make it onto our list. The listing brokers are Elizabeth Lee Sample and Brenda S. Powers at Brown Harris Stevens.

Price: $65 million
Location: Malibu, Calif.

A large parcel of land is hard to come by in Malibu, a second home to movie stars and moguls. This gated compound on a private bluff encompasses seven acres of land, which only partly explains the high price. The main house has seven bedrooms, 11 baths and panoramic ocean views. The property includes a riding ring, gym, swimming pool, tennis court, guardhouse, and a private road to the beach. Jan Horn at Coldwell Banker has the listing.

Price: $61.1 million
Location: London, England

Toprak Mansion, built by Turkish entrepreneur Halis Toprak, is in one of the most desirable areas of North London and occupies a good amount of space there. The house has about 28,000 square feet of space, not including the staff and guest apartments. That includes an 80-foot-long grand salon, a dining room that seats 40 and four kitchens, including one with a walk-in cold storage area. And what mansion would be complete without the glass elevator and Turkish bath? Trevor Abrahmsohn of Glentree Estates is handling the sale.

A great collection of vintage and modern Apple PCs. A geeks decorating dreams come true.

The building that Donald Trump famously called his “Mona Lisa” when he bought it in 1988 has finally opened its condo hotel sales. After closing in April 2005 for $400 million of renovation, and recently selling private residences for as much as $50 million, Fairmont Hotels and Resorts is now accepting registrations and sales inquiries.

The Plaza Pied-à-Terre will feature 152 condo hotel units starting at $1.5 million. Suites come in five styles, including a duplex with private terrace, with luxuries you’d expect, such as 24-karat gold faucets and accessories, and some you might not expect, such as wireless touch-screen access to 24-hour concierge services. All in all, it’s a pretty unique opportunity to buy property at a world famous address and a historical landmark (without the historical preservation compliance issues) managed by a trusted brand.

Beyond a sign of how far the acceptance and application of the condo hotel model has expanded, this launch is part of a broader strategy for the developer. The El Ad Group plans to expand the Plaza brand with luxury projects in marquee locations around the world. The Plaza is set to reopen this October in celebration of the hotel’s 100th anniversary.

Source: www.heliumreport.com

whos.amung.us is a fun little tool that gives you a live map view of where your visitors are coming from.

Great little tribute to Frank Lloyd Wright found on YouTube.