It is not often that we can look into the home of a famous artist, but recently Pablo Picasso's French Riviera estate was sold to New Zealand financier Rayo Withanage for €20.10 million (US$24 million) - allowing us a "peek" inside.

The Spanish artist lived and worked in the traditional Provencal bastide in Mougins, close to Cannes, from 1961 until his death in 1973 at the age of 91, according to auction materials. Picasso gradually extended the property—known as Mas de Notre Dame de Vie—over the years and added a large studio. Following his death, his wife, Jacqueline Roque, remained in the house until her death in 1986. She had left everything in the house as it was, even his reading glasses were where Picasso had left them, said the…

From a brand-new Trump condo and a historic Newport estate to a golf course community in the South, there’s a plethora of choices in high-end homes. Consider these tips from luxury home market pros before buying your dream home.

Top 10 Expert Tips for Buying a Luxury Home

1. Learn the search process.

“Many luxury homes go unlisted to protect a seller's privacy. These properties are often found through the Realtor's personal connections as opposed to the MLS.” Virginia Cook, Virginia Cook Realtors, Dallas

2. Go beyond the photos.

“Make sure you don’t dismiss properties based on their front elevation photos. Many large homes aren’t photogenic that way and you have to see them…

To Rent or To Buy? It's Not Always a Black or White Decision.

Top Reasons to Rent

For most families, renting allows you to be much more flexible. Only a short-term commitment is required, most often a 12-month lease - you're not locked into a 20 or 30-year mortgage. You're also not required to qualify for a mortgage, which usually has much more strict requirements than qualifying to be a tenant.

Renting also means that there are fewer up-front costs involved; whereas buying a home requires upfront costs of 10-20% for down payment, and other costs. There are also fewer ongoing costs involved with renting since home owners have property taxes, and those maintenance and repair costs which usually come when you're least prepared.

One of the…

THE LUXURIOUS FEEL OF JEWEL TONES IN HOME DECORATING

Jewel tones have the power to give your space a look of style and luxury. It’s the reason the world is currently mesmerized by the gem-inspired interior design trend of adding rich and attractive jewel tones throughout the home. Here are some tips for when you’re ready to give your own place a jewel tone makeover.

Accessorize & Learn

Before you paint your entire wall a certain color, figure out what you like by swapping in jewel tone accessories. You might find the palettes that are right for you just by adding emerald throw pillows or a topaz rug before really committing to certain colors. Play around with different jewel tone accessories until you discover which colors you want to go all…

Building a Luxury Lifestyle with Real Estate

When it comes to acquiring wealth and enjoying a luxury lifestyle, achieving financial independence is a key component. How do you achieve financial independence? We all probably have a different definition or dream in our heads, but to keep it simple, it’s when your passive income and your income from your portfolio, or investments, are greater than your expenses.

 ··· Utilize a long-term growth strategy

··· Buy then sell to make a quick profit

··· Hold properties over a long period of time

··· Never run out of money! Spend less and save more

 There have been more millionaires made through real estate than through any other wealth-building medium anywhere in the world. It is based on…

Maybe it’s a Hollywood Regency-style mirror, or a set of bold-hued embroidered pillows from India that caught your eye. And what about those 18th-century portraits you inherited from your grandmother. How do you mix them all together? Merging different décor styles in the same room can be refreshing—and even more interesting than sticking with the same theme throughout. “Mixing different styles and periods of décor creates a richer and more dynamic space,” said interior designer and architect Joan Craig, a partner in Chicago-based Lichten Craig.

“It’s like bringing together guests from different places and generations for a dinner party. A Chinese screen may be a beautiful object by itself, but set it with a ‘40s chair and a contemporary table, and…

How to get the Latest Designer Look in your Bathrooms

Your bathroom isn’t just a place to do your special business. Your bathroom can be a sanctuary. A place where you can relax and unwind. A place where you can be totally yourself. A place where you can get away from the kids.

And that sanctuary should be beautiful.

Luckily, we’re here to help you create the perfect space for hiding from the family/boozing in secret/lounging in long bubble baths. We hunted down the best in modern bathroom design trends—and some inexpensive ways you can implement the look in your own home. These interiors are so cool, you may never want to leave.

1. Industrial brilliance

You can’t go wrong with the black and white paint pairing of this…

Help DLR help our fellow Texans! We will be setting up an Uptown Donation Station at our office and will be accepting donations Mon - Fri/ 8 to 4 pm and if you would like to drop off on the weekend just give us a call (214)754-7040 and we can arrange that for you!

TEXAS STRONG!

What determines the value of your home?

Fair Market Value is the price a willing buyer will pay and a willing seller will accept for a property that has been exposed to the market for a reasonable length of time, where neither party is under duress.  In other words, if 3 other homes exactly like yours (exact same size, condition, and amenities) sold for $300,000 the Fair Market Value of your house would be $300,000.

How do you determine Fair Market Value?  By finding sales of properties that are reasonably similar to the property. In a subdivision where there are a lot of homes that were built with the same floor plan it is relatively easy to find “comparable” sales. The problem is when there are no homes exactly like it, or there have…

HELPFUL TIPS TO GET YOUR READY FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR...

Make Life Easier!

• Pack lunches the night before and refrigerate!
• Make sure backpacks are packed and ready to go the night before.
• Create a homework center. Stock with extra crayons and supplies needed to complete homework. Make sure it’s not near a TV.
• Lay out clothes the night before.
• Remember kids need to make as many decisions as possible. Avoid power struggles by letting them make small decisions.
• Create a special hamper in the laundry room for uniforms and other rush items.
• Fold T-shirts so that the design is recognizable without unfolding.
• Each evening have a 30-minute family clean up time to get everything back in place.

Back To School Shopping!

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