Browsing Posts tagged Luxury Homes

2008 Luxury Brand Status Index Survey Rates Sotheby’s International Realty Nation’s Most Prestigious Real Estate Brand

Orlando, Florida. – The Luxury Institute’s 2008 Luxury Brand Status Index Survey recently rated Sotheby’s International Realty (www.SothebysRealty.com) the most prestigious real estate brand among high net worth consumers.

Roger Soderstrom, owner and founder of Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty (www.StirlingSIR.com) in Orlando – one of the largest and most active Sotheby’s International affiliates in the Southeast – said the national ranking makes a huge difference in marketing Central Florida luxury homes, unique properties and communities. Soderstrom said the New York-based Luxury Institute’s Status Index Survey queried a nationwide sample of 1,666 wealthy American consumers online.

Respondents boasted an average income of $348,000 and average net worth of more than $3.7 million.

“Survey respondents were asked to rate brands according to consistently superior quality; unique and exclusive; social status as a product consumed by people who are admired and respected; and self enhancement, in that the brand makes the consumer feel special across all aspects of the customer experience,” Soderstrom said.

While the brand ranking itself has little effect on marketing efforts, Soderstrom said, it’s all about perceptions.

“The survey tells us something we already know, that among affluent buyers and investors, our brand ranks the highest,” Soderstrom said.

Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty markets Central Florida luxury homes, unique properties and communities locally, nationally and internationally through its world marketing center, the Global Gallery (www.GlobalGalleryUSA.com) and real estate galleries at Lake Mary/Heathrow, Winter Park, Downtown Orlando, Windermere/Dr. Phillips and Clermont.

“Given the favorable currency trading rates, affluent families whose wealth is in Euros, Rubles, Rupees and Renminbis see Central Florida real estate as a stable, highly desirable opportunity, he said.

“For those families, the prestige of the Sotheby’s International Realty brand is a powerful incentive,” Soderstrom said.

The British Homes Group formed a marketing alliance with Stirling Sotheby’s in November of 2007 to help raise awareness of buying Florida homes through the auction process (original press release). All auctions to date have been a complete success with sell outs at almost every event.

Keep up to date with the latest auction activities on Stirling’s website or by visiting Featured Florida Property.

The luxury home sector which appeals to international businessmen and celebrities has always been expensive, after all that pad in Hollywood is nestled amongst some of the worlds most famous people, however there are other reasons for the increase in cost, land. The amound of land in Hollywood is scarce. However, in terms of Florida it is beach front property which goes for big bucks.

Palm beach for example is renowned worldwide for its image of gorgeous sandy shores and a thiriving cosmopolitan lifestyle. Getting 120 feet of beach front here would be lucky. How much does Donald Trump’s palatial home have? 475ft. These homes are not measured in just millions, but tens of millions of dollars.

The cheap dollar is making it even more atractive for Brits and Europeans. Years ago a Brit couldnt dream of owning an apartment on 5th Avenue in New York, now it can easily be a Reality. Similarly, Many Brits want a home in the sun, Miami has long been known as the playground for the rich and famous, here homes have always been expensive, now with the weak dollar they are affordable. The Florida Keys are in a similar situation…Key West has often been tooted as more Caribbean than Floridian – giving rise to the word ‘Floribbean’ of course, homes here are gorgeous and ooze charm, and now are affordable.