16% MORE MILLIONAIRES IN 2009

  The millionaires’ club in the United States grew by 16 percent in 2009, following a 27 percent decline in 2008. Families with a net worth of at least $1 million, excluding primary residences, rose to 7.8 million in 2009, an increase from 6.7 million a year earlier, according to a survey of high-net-worth U.S. households… [Read More]

FIVE ‘SPECIAL’ STATES: NY IS NOT ONE OF THEM!

Under pressure to do more for troubled homeowners, President Obama is expected to announce to-day a $1.5 billion program to help borrowers in the five states hit hardest by the housing crisis. The initiative calls for pumping money into state housing agencies in California, Arizona, Nevada, Florida and Michigan to fund programs to prevent foreclosure for… [Read More]

ENCOURAGING SIGNS? IS LUXURY MANHATTAN REAL ESTATE ‘HOUSING’?

Today, reports came out on home groundbreaking. (Am I the only one annoyed at how figures are constantly ‘revised’?) So December’s figures were slightly inaccurate….why? And why the month-by-month-drama-queen reporting? I am a firm believer in watching pricing on a month by month basis, but it ceases to amaze me how many people formulate world-shattering conclusions from… [Read More]

Madonna Mansion?

  Pop Diva Madonna is back in New York aggressively looking for a grand mansion to house her ever-expanding family. She has been spotted on the Upper East Side looking at some of the grandest townhouses ($30m+). Obviously she is avoiding co-ops after her humiliating Board turn-down at the San Remo at the beginning of… [Read More]

Marth Meier?

  It appears that the continued buying spree in the third Richard Meier Tower in the West Village may not be the work of Alexa Stewart, the daughter of Mighty Martha…. Rumor has it Alexa is the name on the deed, but the enormous (and growing) space is indeed for the diva herself, once the… [Read More]