real estate Archives - Beacon Sotheby's International Realty

Tulip Time: Fast Facts

Local or not, the annual Tulip Time Festival here in Holland, Michigan is an event you’re not going to want to miss. This nine-day festival celebrates everything Dutch, and visitors experience vibrant parades, colorful blooming tulips, and unforgettable culinary experiences.

To add even more excitement into the mix, Tulip Time has been voted one of the Top 10 Best Small Town Festivals. Read along with some of these fun facts about our small town and it’s big party:

Did you know: Holland boasts over 5 million tulips during our festival. Tulips are located in city parks, public attractions and parks, and along our streets! This year, you can even Ask Alexa to track the tulip bloom for you, to keep up with every bulb this year.

The average time spent at Tulip Time for all visitors is 2.67 days. That time could be spent watching the parades, checking out the tulips on Windmill Island, or shopping and eating at Downtown Holland’s very best shops and restaurants.

There are 3 main parades that take place on 8th street. Volksparade comes first, otherwise known as the “People’s Parade.” Kinderparade is on May 9th, and features local school children dressed in their Dutch Best. Lastly, the Muzikparade, performed by marching bands and Holland’s best musicians (did you know: you can stream the parade from wherever you are! Click here to check out your options).

The average rating for visitors of Tulip Time is 9.10 – That means guests are very likely to recommend visiting Tulip Time to others! We are firm believers that it is impossible to have a bad time at the Festival, and this report from Hope College proves it!

At the end of it all: you can take home some bulbs for yourself! Take a piece of Dutch Heritage home with you, buy your own at Nelis’ Dutch Village, Veldheer Tulip Garden, and Windmill Island Gardens.

The Tulip Time festival is the pride and joy of our town, and we want you to experience all of it! Check out the full schedule here so you don’t miss a thing.

If Tulip Time is on your schedule this year, stop by and say hi! We’re located right downtown on 8th street, and we’d love to chat about all the things we love about Holland with you!

Mood Board | Cottage Charm, Cabin Chic

When it comes to rural escapes, it can be easy to be pulled in several directions at once. A cabin in the woods, or an escape by the sea? The timelessness of a log cabin or the bright refinement of an English country cottage? Whatever your aesthetic, you’re sure to find a detail to suit your taste from these two approaches to the weekend retreat—whether you’re leaving home on an adventure or bringing fresh design to your existing space and staying put.

Cottage Charm

Farmhouse kitchens, whimsical gardens, and crisp whites are the hallmarks of the country cottage. A bright, light-filled sitting room, a stone-and-shingle home in Connecticut—these are the fertile grounds where cottage living is perfected. Bring this style into your every day with plush reading chairs, recreation fixtures and appliances, and oceanic blues as an accent. No matter how far you reside from the countryside, these touches create comfort to unwind in—wherever you may be.

Cabin Chic

If the decorous calm of cottage life is not quite for you, look to the rugged coziness of cabins instead. Here, think Muskoka and Colorado, ski chalets and pioneer homes. While exposed beams and ample paneling is conventional cabin décor, elevate this style with contrasting stonework and rich textures. The traditional cabin is small, but today’s iterations are bespoke and polished. Outfit even your weekday residence with the trappings of forest expedition—live edge woods, antlers, warm layers—and you’ll be able to feel remote wherever you are.

It’s possible to capture the romance of mountains, the mystery of the sea, and the allure of the rolling hills through a handful of purposeful design decisions. Collect your books and blankets, paint a room a pristine white, bring in some warm wood paneling, and see where your cabin and cottage remodel takes you.

Discover a cozy cottage or cabin – give us a call to begin your home buying experience today.

Significant Sales | Volume II – Issue IX

From a record-setting sale in South Africa to a remarkable bayside home in the Hamptons, this edition of Significant Sales also showcases homes from the United States and Malta.

Seeking your next real estate transaction? Let’s connect.

Private Paradise | What Island Life is Like

Refreshed, relaxed, reinvigorated: the feelings that tend to accompany the end of an island retreat. But why save the island experience for fleeting vacations that can feel all too short? Life on an island is always enjoyed in the moment and to the fullest. From sun to sand to the stress-free pace of life, there are many reasons for booking a permanent stay.

A View for Tired Eyes

Victoria, British Columbia, Canada | Glynis MacLeod, Sotheby’s International Realty Canada

No matter north or south, few geographic locales can match the stunning natural environment of an island. Nestled into a dramatic cape surrounded by lush forests of cedar, Douglas fir, and spruce, this home on Canada’s West Coast scores high marks for its stunning vistas: walls of glass look out onto unobstructed views of the rolling mountains of Mount Baker and the San Juan Islands, and a spacious rear patio backs out onto 300 linear feet of ocean frontage. Whether you’re an up-for-anything adventurer or an indoorsy nester, this slice of island life could easily be your next paradise.

Bel Ombre, Mauritius | Manesha Soneea, Mauritius Sotheby’s International Realty

A marvelous Mauritius villa tucked into a cozy island corner offers a decidedly more tropical backdrop. Walls of foliage create a sheltered private refuge, while both the indoor and outdoor spaces are designed to maximize views of the paradisal surroundings. An expansive terrace and sizable plunge pool overlooks swaths of abundant vegetation with the Indian Ocean in the distance.

A Beach to Come Home To

Abaco, Bahamas | Christopher Albury, Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty

Untouched beaches are another one of island living’s primary calling cards. With powder-soft sands set against some of the most vibrant turquoise waters on the planet, when it comes to beaches, Bahamian islands are some of the world’s best. This enchanting 20-acre private island located on the Sea of Abaco enjoys a secluded cove, perfect for snorkeling the crystal waters or sinking into a hammock amidst breezy palms.

Anahola, Hawaii | Danette Andrews, Oceanfront Sotheby’s International Realt y

Changing oceans from the Atlantic to the Pacific leads the shores of this Hawaii beach hous e situated on the northeast coast of the island. Whale watch from the comfort of your own living room, kitchen, or master bathroom, each boasting views spanning Anahola Bay and Kahala Point up the length of Aliomanu Beach. A 50-foot pool on an ocean-facing patio, steps from a private beach, ensures that whatever your method of relaxation, shoreline views are practically always in focus.

Bask in the Calm

Ghajnsielem, Malta | Ian Pace, Malta Sotheby’s International Realty

A chance to set your clock to the unhurried pace of island time is a principal reason for putting down permanent roots. For a truly tranquil experience, travel back centuries at this rural Gozo idyll, located in one of the world’s smallest and most archaeologically-rich countries. House of Character offers a rare opportunity to acquire a portfolio of 25 traditional houses in Malta, an archipelago steeped in history in the Mediterranean Sea. Memories of a bygone era are instilled in stone walls and fireplaces, while sun-drenched patios overlooking rolling countryside call for long, leisurely meals in the sun.

Palma De Mallorca, Spain | Alejandra Vanoli, Mallorca Sotheby’s International Realty

Cross the Tyrrhenian Sea and you’ll find another magnificent and historic property among the Balearic Islands in Spain. Built in the 15th century, old-world touches abound at this Spanish country house, including exposed beams and a stone façade, while charming gardens, abundant olive groves, and sunny terraces offer plenty of inspiration for wanderings and reclining. With 14 bedrooms across several main buildings, this comfortable restoration is the perfect place to host extended island stays.

Sunsets Worth Staying For

Mykonos, Greece | George Kasimis, Greece Sotheby’s International Realty

Surrounded by water, island homes often gain unfettered access to the best sunsets on the planet. There are few places on the globe where magic hour is more memorizing than Mykonos, and this spellbinding villa gets a front-row seat to Mother Nature’s most brilliant display. The aptly-named White Vista stands in striking contrast to the bright blue of the Aegean Sea during the day, while at dusk becomes a mirror for the pooling gold and pinks of the sunset.

Life on an island is all about being present. From adventure to downtime, it’s easy to enjoy the stress-free pace by making the islands your permanent home.

Clean Living | 6 Eco-Conscious Waterfront Homes

Strong design is a delicate balance of form and function. Homes need to reflect more than just our aesthetic principles—they need to suit our values as well. As global concern for climate change grows, so do the number of “green” homes on the market. The challenge becomes finding an environmentally conscious home where the luxury experience is not lost. Here are six eco-homes that manage to be both mindful and magnificent.

History Meets Future on Ionian Islands, Greece

Savvas Savvaidis, Greece Sotheby’s International Realty

Having played host to several mythic odyssey’s, the town of Corfu sets the stage for this Emerald Bay estate. Celebrating traditional Grecian architecture while incorporating eco-friendly amenities, this home makes the case for considered design and a minimized environmental footprint. Jet out on the Ionian Sea from your private mooring, or cool off with a dip in the infinity pool perfectly tempered by solar panels. It only takes one glance at this tranquil sea to realize this address is the crowning jewel of the Ionian coastline.

Thoughtful Living in Oeiras, Lisbon

Paula Penim, Portugal Sotheby’s International Realty

Energy from the Oeiras sun is used to power this arty oceanfront villa. Complete with mid-century modern wood paneling throughout the home, its thoughtful detailing is continued beyond its interiors—solar panels provide a clean source of energy to assist in powering this home’s four bedrooms and seven bathrooms, in addition to providing heat for both outdoor and indoor pools. Spend your days reclining by the pool overlooking the Atlantic, or take your journey further inland to explore the region’s many blue and green spaces, including the sandy beaches of Paço de Arcos and Praia da Torre.

Finding Zen in Limestone Bay, Anguilla

Scott Hauser, Anguilla Properties Sotheby’s International Realty

Find paradise at this airy Anguillan abode that pairs palace-like grandeur with modern eco-sensibilities. Regal columns and carved balustrades overlooking the Caribbean Sea create a scene fit for the silver screen, while overhead solar panels pull in energy from the Anguillan rays to power a heated pool in the home’s zen garden. Views are not lost on the home’s well-appointed four bedrooms and spacious living area, each producing vivid-hued views of the Technicolor waters—higher definition than any television.

Lakeside Living in Six Mile, South Carolina

Justin Winter, Justin Winter Sotheby’s International Realty

Time-honored materials and modern technologies are what make this South Carolina lake house eco-conscious. Situated on Lake Keowee, this property is dressed in natural materials including limestone and slate, while repurposed accents like a wrought iron door salvaged from Argentina add to the home’s sustainability. The home’s eco-friendly architectural features are further underscored by its use of geothermal, solar thermal, and solar photovoltaic technologies to reduce its energy demand, as well as a rainwater system for landscape irrigation.

Cerulean Caribbean Vistas in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands

Nina Siegenthaler & Joe Zahm, Turks & Caicos Sotheby’s International Realty

No matter which window you gaze out of, the views from this Turks and Caicos villa are nothing short of spectacular. Tucked into a hillside in Turtle Tail, enjoy Caribbean living at its fullest surrounded by vibrant-hued turquoise waters that appear simply surreal. Solar panels heat and pump a private lagoon pool mimicking the variants of blue from the ocean, while a backup generator and 500-gallon propane tank are on site for all eventualities. Ideal for entertaining, this serene home ensures all of your guests can retreat to their private quarters complete with their very own ocean vista.

River Views in New South Wales, Australia

Rick Nolasco & Daphne Sauvage, Sydney Sotheby’s International Realty

Two properties comprise this New South Wales waterfront addres s. With its covetable location on the Hawkesbury River, Sunny Corner boasts 180-degree views of idyllic waterfront and stunning hillside. Designed to facilitate an active life on the water, this Australian escape ensures you can venture out in your own pontoon, or stay closer to shore and enjoy kayaking, water skiing, and fishing from your secluded retreat. Shining when it comes to sustainability, this home utilizes solar panels to reduce environmental impact and heat all water on site.

When it comes to helping the planet, small choices can make a big difference. Whether you’re considering alternative energies or recycling your rainwater, choosing a home with eco features can make the work of living lightly that much easier.

Featured Listing | Coastal Elegance on the Shores of Lake Michigan

77277 South Beach Drive, South Haven, MI | $2,395,000

Your exclusive Lake Michigan home awaits you at this well-appointed custom-built beach house. Boasting luxurious details, including wine cellar, custom cabinetry and built-ins throughout, European White Oak hardwood flooring, and a lakeside Ipe deck, this remarkable beach home is your waterfront oasis.

Get a glimpse into this exclusive offering on Lake Michigan’s crystal blue waters or experience it for yourself – contact Josi to schedule a tour today.

5 Things: Josi Van Horn

In our 5 Things series, we take a moment with some of the members of our office to learn more about their lifestyle and passion for the business. This month, we sit down with Global Real Estate Advisor, Josi Van Horn.

Favorite thing about your office space:

“I love our location. Being in the heart of Downtown Holland, we can walk to local places for lunch and establish relationships with community members so easily. All of the windows are probably the best part. They let natural sunlight into our space, and during Tulip Time, we have the best seats in the house for the parades.”

Favorite place in Downtown Holland:

“This is really difficult picking just one! But I have to say my apartment. It’s gotten to be something that’s an extension of me. I’ve been able to turn it into a place that when I walk in the door at the end of the day, it feels like home.”

The source of your passion for real estate:

“My favorite thing about selling real estate is all of the people I get to meet. Assisting them in the buying and selling process, we become quite close and I begin to think of my clients as more of friends, and less of partners in business. While walking through their homes, I get to know their family, their history, and I learn about the memories they hope to make at their new home. I love continuing that relationship past the sales process and catching up with them in the weeks afterward to see how they have been enjoying their new lifestyle.”

Favorite thing to do in the summer:

“Being on the water, be that boating or just sitting on the beach. As a local to Holland, I enjoy knowing little exclusive beach spots not everyone may know of… grabbing an easy snack and having my own private picnic watching the sunset is my ideal summer night.”

Why Beacon Sotheby’s International Realty?

“Over the last 8+ years as I’ve built and developed my career, I have had many offers from many different real estate companies all across the country, but I choose Beacon Sotheby’s International Realty because of the culture. The sense of belonging and family, I just don’t think I could get that anywhere else. The relationships and rapport I build with others in the office and community are what keep me here.”

Explore the homes Josi Van Horn represents and get to know her further.

Sotheby’s International Realty Brand Expands Presence in Mexico

Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates announced it’s expanding presence in Mexico with the formation of Mexico Sotheby’s International Realty.

Mexico Sotheby’s International Realty is located in the country’s capital of Mexico City and will serve the luxury residential real estate markets in the greater metropolis as well as the surrounding areas including the Metropolitan area of Puebla; Valle de Bravo and Malinalco in Estado de Mexico; and Cuernavaca and Tepoztlán in Morelos. The firm is owned and operated by Carlos Gonzalez.

“The luxury residential real estate market in Mexico City is experiencing tremendous growth,” said Philip White, president and chief executive officer of Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC. “The area has attracted many new developments, mainly luxury high-rise projects with top-of-the-line amenities, and has also seen an increase in overall inventory. We are proud to welcome Mexico Sotheby’s International Realty to our global network.”

“There are so many extraordinary communities and exciting areas in the Greater Mexico City area; it is our goal to be the ultimate guide for our clients, leading them to the Mexico City home of their dreams,” said Gonzalez. “Affiliating with the Sotheby’s International Realty® brand allows us to connect to the brand’s prestigious real estate companies around the world and reach an international clientele.”

With this addition, the Sotheby’s International Realty network now has nine independently owned and operated offices throughout Mexico; also operating in the country are Agave Sotheby’s International Realty, Guadalajara Sotheby’s International Realty, Los Cabos Sotheby’s International Realty, Monterrey Sotheby’s International Realty, Queretaro Sotheby’s International Realty, and Riviera Maya Sotheby’s International Realty.

The Sotheby’s International Realty network currently has more than 22,000 affiliated independent sales associates located in 950 offices in 70 countries and territories worldwide. In 2017, the brand achieved a record global sales volume of $108 billion USD. Mexico Sotheby’s International Realty listings will be marketed on the sothebysrealty.com global website. In addition to the referral opportunities and widened exposure generated from this source, the firm’s brokers and clients will benefit from an association with the Sotheby’s auction house and worldwide Sotheby’s International Realty marketing programs.

The Global Real Estate Advisors at Beacon Sotheby’s International Realty can help with your next local, domestic, or international real estate transaction. Experience the luxury service we provide at every price point. Give us a call today to experience the Sotheby’s International Realty difference – 269.673.7133.

New & Notable Properties for Sale | May 2018

From an inviting modern home in London, England to a Caribbean masterwork by renowned architect Marco Aldaco in Turks and Caicos, this month’s collection of exceptional properties for sale feature homes from some of the world’s finest locales.

London, England | Emma Reade & Aree Rand, United Kingdom Sotheby’s International Realty

Classic and charming neo-Georgian architecture meets the finest modern interior design set on one of the most exclusive roads within one of the most exclusive postcodes in London. This beautiful home set over five floors of luxurious and generously proportioned accommodation enjoys a south-facing front that leads to a reception room and dining area following on to a contemporary kitchen with integrated state-of-the-art appliances looking out onto the beautifully landscaped gardens.

Upper West Side, New York | Michael Sieger, Sotheby’s International Realty – West Side Manhattan Brokerage

One of only three townhouses remaining on Central Park West, this thoroughly restored Queen Anne mansion affords luxurious modern living while paying homage to its distinguished past. The eye-catching façade is distinguished by an ornamental gate and restored museum-quality sandstone carvings. The grandeur of late-19th-century Manhattan fills the versatile interior, which has been updated with an open, airy ambiance and 21st-century technologies and amenities.

Kailua, Hawaii | Brandon E Kim & Myra Brandt, List Sotheby’s International Realty

Kai Moena, “House of the Resting Sea,” is a captivating oceanfront estate that reflects the skillful merging of modern architecture and luxury design. Inspired by Hawaii’s culture and climate, this expansive property totals almost 60,000 square-feet of land with over 250 linear feet of pristine white sand once owned by the storied Rothschild family.

Providenciales, Turks And Caicos | Nina Siegenthaler, Turks & Caicos Sotheby’s International Realty

Bajacu is a Caribbean masterwork, designed by renowned, Architectural Digest Top 100 Architect, Marco Aldaco who is known for his technical mastery of scale, color, and materials. Bajacu (“rising sun” in the language of Caribbean natives) sits proudly above the beautiful island of Providenciales, Turks and Caicos. The ultra-private six-bedroom estate is situated on one of the island’s highest points, on an over eight-acre south shore site, with breathtaking views of the Caicos Banks.

Discover more new and notable properties with Beacon Sotheby’s International Realty

The First Permitted 3D-Printed Home Unveiled

Last month the first ever permitted 3D printed home in America was unveiled at South by Southwest (SXSW) in Austin, Texas. The project was the inception of the Sotheby’s International Realty® brand’s charitable partner New Story and their construction technology partner, ICON.

The 3D printer is expected to accomplish the following goals:

Significantly decrease the cost of building a home in the developing world. Currently, it costs $6,500 for New Story to build a home. The printer will significantly cut the cost to $4,000 a home with potential for it to continue to become more affordable.
Make home construction faster. Homes can be built in 12-24 hours with the printer.
Improve the quality of the final home.

A defining factor of this new technology is that it will be used first in the developing world, in El Salvador, for people who are currently living without shelter, a basic human need. The printer can fit on a truck so it’s easily transportable, it’s durable and it uses a mortar that can be found anywhere.

“We made the decision to partner with New Story in 2017 because we agree that the home is the epicenter of your life. New Story’s desire for continued innovation to drive change is remarkable,” says Lindsey Scharf, Director PR & Communications Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC.“The launch of the 3D printer will make a huge impact in their mission to provide homes for families in the developing world and we are proud to be aligned with them in this venture.”

“We are incredibly proud to help advance New Story’s mission to transform people’s lives by providing the foundation of life, a home,” says John Passerini, Global VP Interactive Marketing, Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC. “Their innovative approach to not only building homes but entire communities has already made an incredible difference for so many people and with their introduction of a 3D printer, they will be able to streamline the process like nobody has ever done before.”

The 3D printer received significant media coverage including Architectural Digest, Fast Company, Wired, The Verge, PBS and BuzzFeed to name a few.

Take a closer look at the 3D printer in action

Learn more about New Story