This design is also available as a shirt or sweatshirt in our Amazon Store.Price:
Wednesday, 4 May 2011
Poodle WHITE Mousepad Dog Mouse Pad "Property Of"
This design is also available as a shirt or sweatshirt in our Amazon Store.
Square Feet: Government, Too, Has Trouble Selling Buildings
But the federal government did not put the building on the market until November 2009. By then, of course, the real estate market had slumped. Akridge and its partner, Rockwood Capital, a real estate investment fund in White Plains, finally bought the building last October, paying $12.5 million, less than the $14 million asking price.
In a report last October Republicans in Congress pounced on the long delay in selling the Bethesda building — and the discounted price — as an example of how the federal government has been mismanaging its real estate holdings.
The government owns or manages more than 900,000 buildings or other structures across the country — office buildings, courthouses, warehouses and other property types — making it the nation’s largest landlord. But like the former N.I.H. building, about 14,000 are no longer needed and are costly to maintain. An additional 55,000 are regarded as underutilized.
The report was also harshly critical of government spending to operate surplus and underused buildings, including $6.5 million for the Old Post Office Building at 12th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington. The administration’s own figures estimate the annual operating expenses for those buildings at more than $1.8 billion.
Last June President Obama ordered executive agencies to accelerate efforts to dispose of unneeded buildings, and set a goal of saving $3 billion by the end of 2012. Yet various obstacles make it difficult for the government to unload buildings it no longer wants.
For one thing they must first be offered to other federal, state and local agencies. Officials also have to ascertain if the building has a community use — say, for a homeless shelter.
At times an agency may want to sell an obsolete building but cannot afford the moving costs, Jeffrey D. Zients, a deputy director of the Office of Management and Budget, said in a telephone interview. Then, too, political considerations may come into play. “Politicians love to come hold a ribbon-cutting for a new building,” Mr. Zients said. “Getting rid of a building is less rewarding.”
The Obama administration has determined that if the barriers to selling were removed, he said, the savings could be much higher — $15 billion over five years. The sum includes the dollars not spent on maintenance and energy costs as well as sale proceeds.
To speed up the disposal process the administration wants to create an independent commission modeled after the Base Realignment and Closure Commission, or BRAC, a process begun in 1988 to review Defense Department recommendations for closing military bases. The proposed commission, the Civilian Property Realignment Board, would be able to cut through much of the existing red tape, establish new procedures and come up with recommendations for selling property in bulk, Mr. Zients said.
The commission would also recommend ways the government could use its space more efficiently by, for example, consolidating space or getting agencies to move into one building.
In addition, the legislation is expected to provide incentives for federal agencies by allowing them to share in the proceeds from any sales. To reduce political influence, the commission’s recommendations would be submitted to Congress as a package and not subject to amendment — similar to the way the base closure recommendations were handled. Daniel Werfel, the controller for the Office of Management and Budget, said the commission would include people with experience in commercial real estate, government operations and community development.
The commission concept has bipartisan support, said Jeff Denham, Republican of California and the chairman of the House subcommittee on public buildings. “The goal in the short term is to sell as many buildings as possible to generate some immediate cash flow to help with the debt crisis,” said Mr. Denham, who backed a similar proposal when he was a state legislator. The longer-term goal is to improve the way the federal government handles its real estate needs, he said.
Some real estate experts wondered if a board was necessary. “Whenever government is faced with a problem, the first thing they do is appoint a commission,” said Nicholas R. Smith, an executive vice president at First Potomac Realty Trust, a publicly traded company that leases more than 700,000 square feet to the government. Mr. Smith said the process for selling federal property should simply be made less complex.
This article has been revised to reflect the following correction:
Correction: April 28, 2011
An article in the Square Feet pages on Wednesday about the federal government’s difficulty in divesting some of its real estate holdings misspelled the name of a deputy director in the Office of Management and Budget. He is Jeffrey D. Zients, not Jeffrey D. Zeints.
What You Get for ... $650,000
WHAT: A four-bedroom, two-bath house and a one-bedroom apartment
HOW MUCH: $649,000
SIZE: 2,451 square feet
PER SQUARE FOOT: $264.79
SETTING: This house is in Hyde Park, a residential section of Austin north of the University of Texas campus. Victorians line its tree-shaded streets; some have been converted into two-family houses and bed-and-breakfasts. There’s a cluster of coffee shops, cafes and restaurants about four blocks from the house. A shopping center with larger stores is less than a mile away.
INSIDE: The house was built in 1910 and retains many original details, including hardwood floors on the main level, and windows that use counterweights. Two parlors, one with a built-in hutch, precede the kitchen and a bedroom used as a dining room. An addition is used as an office. The master bedroom, which is on the main floor, has a walk-in closet and an alcove with a secondary closet. There are two bedrooms upstairs, one with an adjoining sitting area. Over the two-car garage, there’s a carpeted one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment.
OUTDOOR SPACE: There is a concrete front porch and a larger wooden back porch and deck. The small lot is planted with oak and pecan trees.
TAXES: $12,101 annually.
CONTACT: David Haynes, Keller Williams Realty (512) 844-0940; kw.com
BEND, ORE.
WHAT: A two-bedroom, two-bath log house on the Deschutes River in Deschutes National Forest
HOW MUCH: $650,000
SIZE: 2,496 square feet
PER SQUARE FOOT: $260.41
SETTING: This house is in Oregon Water Wonderland II, a residential community on the Deschutes River in the Deschutes National Forest. The forest, which stretches for 1.6 million acres among the Cascade Mountains, offers places to fish, boat, hike and mountain-bike. The house is about 25 miles from Mount Bachelor Ski Resort. Though this house is officially in Bend, its downtown is 20 miles away. Sunriver, a neighboring community, is closer, less than 10 miles away.
INSIDE: Built in 1994, the house was built mostly of logs and tongue-in-groove pine planks. Through the entryway is a great room with living, dining and kitchen areas. One bedroom is on the main level. Upstairs, there’s a loft with the master bedroom, which has a walk-in closet, skylights and a sitting area that opens onto a small deck.
OUTDOOR SPACE: A deck off the upstairs loft, a back deck facing the river and a dock shared with neighbors.
TAXES: $3070.79 annually plus $250 a year in homeowner’s association dues.
CONTACT: Kathy Hovermale and Marilyn Stoner, Cascade Sotheby’s International Realty (541) 419-6778 / (541) 815-4757; sothebysrealty.com
BOSTON?
WHAT: A two-bedroom, two-bath condo in an 1850 carriage house
HOW MUCH: $649,900
SIZE: 950 square feet (estimated)
PER SQUARE FOOT: $684.10
SETTING: Beacon Hill is a half-mile-square neighborhood on the Charles River Basin. It’s one of Boston’s oldest (and most expensive) neighborhoods, known for its 19th-century brick row houses, brick sidewalks and short gas-lighted streets. It’s home to a long list of notable public buildings and private addresses of varying relevance, including the Massachusetts State House and the bar used in filming “Cheers.” This carriage house — up the street from one of the oldest standing black churches in America — is about three blocks from Beacon Street and the northern boundary of Boston Common.
INSIDE: This condo is one of 12 units in an 1850 carriage house, converted in 1981 and renovated piecemeal over the last few years. There is slate tile in the entryway, which has closet space. The living area retains the original beam ceilings and tall wooden carriage door, now sealed off. The kitchen has stainless-steel appliances. The master has an en-suite bathroom and a walk-in closet; in the second bedroom, there’s a custom Murphy bed.
OUTDOOR SPACE: The unit has access to a common patio.
TAXES: $5,945 annually plus $380 a month in condo fees
CONTACT: Kevin Caulfield, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage (617) 501-3685; newenglandmoves.com
Top 10 Most Expensive Homes for Sale in the U.S.
Interested in a home with 23 bathrooms? Perhaps interior marble columns, a private grill house, or three swimming pools are the must-have amenities you’ve been waiting for? These features and more make up our 2011 list of the most expensive homes for sale on Zillow. All priced above $50 million, this year’s round-up is a mix of new extreme eye candy and some repeat performers from the 2010 list, including the Spelling Manor, which tops our list for a second time with an unchanged and staggering asking price of $150,000,000.
1. Spelling Manor (above)
Location: Los Angeles, CA
For Sale: $150 Million
Not only does the Spelling Manor top our list of most expensive homes on Zillow for the second time in a row, but the 123-room mega-mansion, which hit the Los Angeles real estate market last September, is said to be the most expensive home for sale in the U.S. Current owner Candy Spelling (widow to late TV producer Aaron Spelling and mother to actress-turned-reality TV star Tori Spelling) purchased the property from legendary entertainer Bing Crosby. The French-chateau-style estate sits on 4.7 acres and illuminates luxury at every turn. Unique features of the three-story, 56-500-sq ft home include a 17,000-sq ft attic with a barbershop and salon, rooftop garden, two-lane bowling alley, service wing with staff quarters, China room, gift-wrapping room, and wine tasting room. According to a recent interview, the 63-year-old Spelling is downsizing from “The Manor” to a two-story Los Angeles condo she purchased for $47 million last year.
Sally Forster Jones of Coldwell Banker, Beverly Hills East, is the listing agent.
> See more photos of the Spelling Manor
2. Tranquility (above)
Location: Zephyr Cove, NV
For Sale: $100 Million
Another most expensive homes veteran, “Tranquility” is the highest-priced listing in the state of Nevada. It also held the top spot on Zillow’s Most Expensive Homes list in 2009, until the Spelling Manor hit the market with its $150 million asking price. The 210-acre property, originally listed in 2008, is situated on its own private lake with a total of eight separate buildings including a 20,000-sq ft main residence. Also included on this rare piece of Zephyr Cove real estate is an art studio, boat house pavilion, gym with indoor basketball court, horse stable, two par-3 golf holes, and a 16-car garage. As if that wasn’t enough to explain the $100 million price tag, the prestigious property also comes fully furnished.
Shari Chase of Chase International is the listing agent.
> See more photos of Tranquility
3. Frank Woolworth Estate (above)
Location: Manhattan, NY
For sale: $90 Million
Retail magnate Frank W. Woolworth commissioned three townhouses to be built for each of his three daughters back in 1911. This one, designed by renowned architect Charles Pierpont Henry Gilbert, was completed in 1916 and is the biggest of the three. With a $90 million asking price, it became the priciest listing on the Manhattan real estate market when it was posted for sale this past March. The 35-ft wide, 7-story home boasts 18,000-sq ft, and has 10 bedrooms, 11.5 bathrooms, three kitchens, a paneled library, elevator, 14-ft ceilings, private gym, and a formal dining room with seating for up to 50 guests.
Paula Del Nunzio of Brown Harris Stevens is the listing agent.
> See more photos of the Frank Woolworth Estate
4. Versailles (above)
Location: Windermere, FL
For Sale: $75 Million ($100 million finished)
It may not be the most expensive property on the market, but the gigantic Windermere, FL mansion, known as “Versailles,” is reported to be America’s “largest single family home under one roof.” The palace-like estate, architecturally inspired by the royal residence of Louis XIV, is situated on a 10-acre peninsula along the shoreline of Lake Butler. While the breathtaking property is still under construction, offered at $75 million “as-is” or $100 million finished, the 66,800-sq ft is blueprinted to include every thinkable amenity a homeowner could imagine. Listed in May 2010, this Windermere real estate gem features 13 bedrooms, 23 bathrooms, three pools, a baseball field, two tennis courts, grand hall, two grand staircases, two-story wine cellar, indoor roller rink, movie theater with a balcony, and his-and-her offices separated by a two-sided, 12-ft aquarium.
Lorainne Barrett of Coldwell Banker is the listing agent.
> See more photos of Versailles
5. Madison Ave Townhouse (above)
Location: Manhattan, NY
For Sale: $72 Million
Another 7-story New York townhouse joins the Woolworth mansion on this year’s list. This Madison Avenue home appeared on Zillow’s “Most Expensive Homes” list in September 2010 and, with an unchanged asking price of $72 million, has snagged a returning spot. Located on prestigious Madison Avenue, this rare piece of Upper East Side real estate is fully renovated and retains all of its original architectural details. It contains 12,000 sq ft, 10 bedrooms, a central staircase, and elevator. It is owned by a rare-maps dealer.
Michael Pellegrino of Sotheby’s International Realty is the listing agent.
> See more photos of this Madison Ave Townhouse
6. Wehba Mansion (above)
Location: Beverly Hills, CA
For Sale: $68.5 Million
Owned by BentleyForbes founder, Fredrick Wehba, this 36,000-sq ft, French Palladian estate is showered with European-inspired elegance, including imported limestone, onyx marble, marble columns, antique mirrors, and French moldings with 24-karat gilt. Paired with 9 bedrooms, 13 bathrooms, a tennis court, and pool pavilion, the Wehba Mansion is a Beverly Hills real estate rarity with an equally rare (and jaw-dropping) asking price of $68.5 million.
Joyce Rey of Coldwell Banker, Beverly Hills South, is the listing agent.
See more photos of the Wehba Mansion
7. Tranquility (above)
Location: Jupiter Island, FL
For Sale: $65 Million
Believe it or not, there is another “Tranquility” mega mansion that falls onto our list, one that is also a returning member from last year’s round-up. Owned by PGA star Greg Norman (the “Great White Shark”), Jupiter Island’s version of Tranquility is a six-building compound that sits on over eight acres with 172 feet of oceanfront. In addition to the main house, there is a grill house that adjoins a 50-ft pool, tennis court, 3-bedroom coach house with 4-car garage, carriage house with a 6-car garage and gym, 2-bedroom oceanfront guest house, a boat shed, dock suited for a large yacht, and a 5,500-sq ft west lawn currently set up as the perfect waterfront putting green. Tranquility initially hit the Jupiter Island real estate market in 2008, with the same $65 million asking price.
Suzanne Frisbie of The Corcoran Group, is the listing agent.
> See more photos of Tranquility
8. Water Mill Mansion (above)
Location: Water Mill, NY
For Sale: $58.5 Million
Located on Long Island, NY, Water Mill was listed as Forbes’ 14th most expensive ZIP code in 2010 and carries a median home value of $1,987,800 and even higher median list price of $3,200,000. The Water Mill mansion that ranks on this list, however, blows both median prices out of the water with an astounding eight-digit asking price of $58.5 million. Noted as a Water Mill real estate “masterpiece,” the 4-acre, waterfront estate consists of a 20,000-sq ft main residence that is outfitted with unique detailing throughout. Along with 8 bedrooms and 10 bathrooms, features include a double-hearth staircase in cast bronze, silver and gold leaf, library with coffered ceilings, 19th-century, stained glass skylight, and 100-year-old mantelpieces. More modern amenities include a fully-automated remote-control security and entertainment system, restaurant grade kitchen, theater, wine storage room, spa, sauna, and private gym.
Harald Grant of Sotheby’s International Realty, is the listing agent.
> See more photos of this Water Mill Mansion
9. Seven Lakes Ranch (above)
Location: Meeker, CO
For Sale: $55 Million
Described as “one of the last premiere pristine ranches with water in all of Colorado,” Seven Lakes Ranch is the ultimate outdoorsman’s residence with over 11,000 acres, multiple lakes, a river and stream making it the perfect destination for fly fishing, private hunting, skeet shooting, horseback riding, canoeing, hiking, biking, and skiing. This massive property includes a main lodge, guest cabin, fitness center and spa, sportsman’s lodge, and barns. According to the listing information, this unique Meeker real estate retreat was assembled by the same owner of previously listed Tranquility – famed golfer Greg Norman.
Steven Shane of SDS Real Estate is the listing agent.
> See more photos of Seven Lakes Ranch
10. Beverly Hills Mansion (above)
Location: Beverly Hills, CA
For Sale: $55 Million
Found at the end of a 400-ft long cobblestone driveway is yet another multi-million dollar, European-inspired mansion. The second Beverly Hills real estate property on the list is this 2-acre, gated residence described as “a masterful blend of art deco and European architectural styles” with a “dramatic French-inspired exterior.” Included in the $55 million price tag is a 27,163-sq ft main house with 8 bedrooms and 12.5 bathrooms, and a full guest house. For any car-collecting buyers out there, this Beverly Hills mansion is equipped with a 20-car garage, and an expansive motor court that can accommodate over 25 cars.
Joyce Rey of Coldwell Banker, Beverly Hills South, is the listing agent.
> See more photos of this Beverly Hills Mansion
Currents | Shows: A Photo Exhibit That Honors Trees With a Past
The South declares war on the United States and Maryland calls a secession convention.
When Washington anoints the wrong leaders, their provisional governments can wreak havoc on countries for years.Collie Tri Mousepad Dog Mouse Pad "Property Of"
This design is also available as a shirt or sweatshirt in our Amazon Store.Price:
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)