Aloha Manila Up Real Estate Junkies! Have you ever imagined what it would be like to live in a mansion in Beverly Hills or a palace in the English countryside, or maybe an 18th century Italian Villa along the Amalfi Coast? Well, you are not alone! If you’re like me, I’m a real estate junkie to the end, and a huge fan of HGTV. Shows like International House Hunters, Million Dollar Listing LA and NYC, Beachfront Bargain Hunt, Hawaii Life, etc., to name a few are my weekly “fix” and “MUST SEE” TV addictions. And another reason why I became a realtor! Having been a professional realtor for over 18 years now on the beautiful islands of Hawaii, I’ve seen my fair share of luxury homes from beach front estates to mountain-top equestrian estates. It truly is one of the most fascinating aspects of my job, to step into the world of the rich-and-famous (or not!) and see how they live behind closed doors. You might ask, “what drives the affluent buyer to invest (not merely purchase) in these ultra-expensive homes?”, whether they be their primary residence, secondary, or part of a collection of homes. The answer is, I’ve learned in working with high net-worth clients, is simply, because “they can”! Typically, luxury home purchases are not a necessity, rather an “impulse” buy and they view these investments as part of their overall “portfolio “. So, while you may think, that all luxury homes carry a price tag of $10 million or more, don’t be fooled, because there are bargains around the world which may cost you less than you think. Especially if you live in a US city or overseas city, the median home prices can reach upward to $1million or more (areas like...... Read more on Full Issue!