Category Archives: white house

Home of the Week: A White House in San Francisco

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In the second video version of our ‘Home of the Week‘ series, we move from Southern California up to the Bay Area to look at an architectural masterpiece in San Francisco.

What immediately strikes you about this dramatically beautiful home is its uncanny resemblance to the White House. No doubt, this $8.9 million home isn’t on Pennsylvania Avenue, but it’s every bit as luxurious and stunning as its D.C. counterpart.

The home features over 8,000 square feet of truly luxurious living space. From the retractable skylights to the meticulously manicured terrace and gardens, on over to the wine vault and museum-like u shaped gallery; you’d be hard pressed to ever want to leave this estate if you called it ‘home‘.

As per usual, my favorite part of this home would have to be the lower level theater with the projection screen and ultra comfortable seats. A close second would be the playroom located on the same level that could used as a home gym, arcade or basketball court!

Our newest ‘Home of the Week’ is so lovely that it sold within the week since we filmed this episode! We’re sure that plenty of memories will be made by whoever bought this beautiful home. Enjoy!

Real Estate Headlines President’s Day Edition

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lincoln memorial Real Estate Headlines Presidents Day EditionHappy President’s Day. I hope it finds you at home and enjoying a day off. Don’t bother walking outside to get your mail today. It won’t be coming. Instead of our normal collection of the latest real estate stories, we decided to take a patriotic approach in honor of this national holiday and share our most presidential posts.

Abraham Lincoln is arguably the greatest president in our country’s history. He’s now a pop culture icon featured in books and movies. Here’s a look at the places Abe Lincoln called home.

Did George Washington really have wooden teeth? What on earth does this have to do with Coldwell Banker? Find out on The Truth featuring Alan Thicke. (video above)

While President’s Day is namely for honoring George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, you have to admit that Thomas Jefferson has to be up there with them. The author of the Declaration of Independence also had quite an amazing collection of homes that he lived in.

Coldwell Banker recently listed the home of President & Mrs. Ronald Reagan.

Ever wonder what it would be like to have a presidential birthday party at the White House? We did. Here are some of our ideas for which rooms in the White House would be perfect for a presidential party.

And finally, take a look at the home that is infamously known for being the place where JFK was introduced to Marilyn Monroe…oh and it just happens to be the former home of Frank Sinatra.

 

Image courtesy of Flickr user westher

Birthday Parties White House Style

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The President celebrates his birthday with his family.
*Photo Courtesy of: Huffington Post

Being that today is “National Ice Cream Sandwich” day, we’re in a particularly festive mood and have decided to throw on our party planning hats. This Saturday happens to be President Barack Obama’s 51st birthday (Happy Birthday Mr. President!) While we’re not entirely sure what the President’s plans are for his big day, we’re hoping he’s planning to spend it home celebrating with his wife, kids, the family pet “Bo” and  his closest friends.

One of the perks that comes with the Presidency is you get to move into one of the nation’s most historic, beautiful, iconic and instantly recognizable homes. If living at the world’s most famous address isn’t enough, there’s an abundance of great spaces available for you to host a birthday party that would make the likes of Jay-Z and George Clooney jealous.

We’re not the most seasoned of party planners here at Coldwell Banker Real Estate, but we sure do know home. So here are a few spaces in the White House we think would make for a memorable birthday celebration!

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The Eastroom located on the State Floor
*Photo Courtesy of: whitehouse.gov

 

The East Room

This largest room in the entire house, White House designers have purposefully left furniture out of this room so it can be used for large gatherings like weddings, after-dinner entertaining and press conferences. There’s plenty of free space for tables and chairs but most importantly, there seems to be ample  room for a dance floor.

*Fun Fact – Abigail Adams used to dry her laundry here in the winter of 1800.

 

 

 

 

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The Family Theater at the White House
*Photo Courtesy of: Wikipedia Commons

 

The Family Theater

If the President wants a more laid back type of birthday celebration, then watching a new movie (I’m sure he could swing an advanced copy!) in “The Family Theater” might do the trick. The theater is located in the East Wing and offers all the amenities as the major movie theater chains.

*Fun Fact: President Franklin D. Roosevelt had the “Cloakroom” converted into this theater so he could watch the news and be kept up to date on foreign affairs.

 

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The South Lawn of the White House has plenty of room for a great Birthday Party.
*Photo Courtesy of: Wikipedia

 

The South Lawn

It’s expected to be 94 degrees and sunny on Saturday, so if the President wanted to take advantage of the massive amount of space on the South Lawn, then he could throw quite the birthday celebration. The space is used routinely for barbecues, Easter Egg hunts and concerts so we already know the space can handle a lot of guests without it feeling too cramped. We suggest a barbecue followed by a fun set of games like Badminton, Volleyball and Soccer to commemorate the Olympics.

*Fun Fact: The Magnolia Trees located here were planted by President Andrew Jackson and are the earliest remaining ones planted by a U.S. President.

 

However President Obama plans to celebrate his birthday, we know his home and the people in it will help make it a special day. Happy Birthday!

Real Estate Headlines for the Middle of October

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Hope you have your costume picked because Halloween is coming quicker than you think. While your neighborhoods will soon be filled with pumpkins, ghouls and frightening inflatable displays, here are some real estate headlines for this halfway point of October:

LXTV Open House talked to Coldwell Banker President & COO, Budge Huskey, about the impact baby boomers still have on the real estate market.

Yahoo Real Estate has a list of the top places to retire in 2012 based on a number of different categories. Port Charlotte, FL wins in the most affordable category.

HGTV Frontdoor has expert advice on adding value to your home with a bathroom renovation.

And finally, have you heard about the hole in the lawn of the White House?

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Real Estate Headlines for Monday September 12th

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Take a Look Inside the Home the Chipmunks Built

September is quickly passing and this week we’ll already be halfway through the month. Time is flying towards autumn and so on this Monday morning here are some real estate headlines to keep up with what’s going on in housing:

According to the New York Times, the White House seeks more use of the home refinancing program.

The KCM Blog says that despite the real estate market conditions, luxury and vacation homes are selling.

Inman News wants to remind you that not all home ownership expenses are tax deductible.

And finally,the Wall Street Journal has a piece on The House that Chipmunks Built. Yes, it’s a look inside the home of the son of the creator of Alvin and the Chipmunks who is also the man behind the recent movie reboot. I’ll take the blame for having the theme song in your head all day.

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Real Estate Headlines for the Unofficial End of Summer

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Hollywood director, Michael Bay

Labor Day is over. Kids with their backpacks and lunch boxes await the school bus. And so closes the book on another summer. Fitting that it is absolutely pouring out in New Jersey this morning as it makes you dwell less on another summer passing. But on the bright side we have a fresh set of real estate headlines for you:

The KCM Blog wants sellers to act now and is giving home owners 5 great reasons to sell your house today.

Transformers’ director, Michael Bay, is selling his Santa Monica home for $6.8 million. Optimus Prime not included.

Time has a “timely” article on 5 things to know to protect your house against flooding.

The White House is expected to unveil a mortgage plan this week to try and revive housing.

And finally, LXTV asks would you pay $2.6 million for this tiny home in Martha’s Vineyard?

Photo courtesy of Flickr user Simon Davison.

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