The Price For Power & Fame

Being in the United States you just have to wonder why some people choose to be in the public eye? Is it the power? Is it the celebrity or is it the wealth? I can’t begin to answer that question but when looking at Michael Bloomberg with his own TV channel and of course a personal net wealth of $11.5 Billion I guess it isn’t the wealth – he has it already.

The New York Mayor and media mogul spent $85 million on re-election in 2005 (what did Clover Moore spend in Sydney?). The sum was $11 million more than in his first election 2001. Now the most famous Mayor in the world is rumoured to be considering jumping into the Presidential race – not now, but maybe in 4 years time.

With talk running hot that Bloomberg could run as Obama’s running mate earlier in the year and now that he may seek an unprecedented mandate for a third term as Mayor of New York City, all eyes are on him to see which candidate he’ll endorse – at this stage he has been quiet on the issue.

 Both Simon Turner and I witnessed an anti-John McCain and Sarah Palin rally in Philadelphia and the passion shown by Americans was intense.

It wasn’t clear if Palin was inside the building or whether Obama had recently departed, but election fever is running hot and it is amazing to see how the Americans express their political views. Both Simon Turner and I also watched the live debate between Obama and McCain only a few hours ago and it appeared that Obama was the winner. America is a wonderful and fascinating country.

Michael Marquette

The US Election, Property Pricing & Interest Rates

As part of our experience in the United States on this occasion both Simon and I found ourselves in the middle of a massive political rally in Philadelphia. With the Presidential Election only a few weeks away campaigning is in full swing throughout the country and some States have even started voting – although the results of the early voting will not be announced until official counting begins on election day (Nov 4, 2008).

As an Australian it was amazing to witness the passion of supporters for Barack Obama and John McCain and the extent to which they express their feelings. The Vice presidential candidates were also receiving plenty of attention with Sarah Palin opponents holding up signs, wearing anti-Republican t-shirts and printed with all sorts of slogans as well as chanting in unison.

I have never seen such passion for any election in Australia and although Police were on hand the rally remained no-violent – just very loud! Before leaving Philadelphia, we also witnessed the Hillary Clinton machine roll in and out of town – yes, she’s still going – and Simon and I visited the Liberty Bell which is a symbol for freedom for all people in the United States. The protests, rallies and the individuals mentioned are crystal clear evidence that the symbolism of the liberty bell is alive and well.

We were also fortunate enough to visit several properties throughout the city with Luxury Brokers who are part of the Who’s Who in Luxury Real Estate and compared the pricing of property in Philadelphia with that back home in Australia. Without hesitation Sydney is a far more expensive city for those looking to purchase real estate, showing the importance of property to Australia when considering both wealth creation and housing affordability.

Whatever the result of the Obama versus McCain election in the US , I believe Australia is well placed for buyer confidence to recover quickly after the stunning 1% (100 basis points) decrease in interest rates by the Reserve Bank and the overall health of the Australian financial system. The freedom’s, liberties and luxuries that we all enjoy show few signs of fading!

 

Michael Marquette

13th Annual Luxury Real Estate Fall Conference

13th Annual Luxury Real Estate Fall Conference in Philadelphia, PA, USA, Oct. 11-14, 2008

Read more about the Awards – Marquette Turner Luxury Homes will be there, we’re up for an award and we’re excited!

Michael Marquette & Simon Turner

Read the Latest Release of the MTLH e-magazine

The latest release of the popular MTLH e-magazine, highlighting popular articles from the MTLH blog is now available for you to view online

We’ve seen financial dramas of historic proportions in the last week, but within the chaos there is much opportunity.  Marquette Turner Luxury Home’s articles seek to put the issues in perspective, and as ever we’re more than happy to let our feelings be known.

Both Michael Marquette and I are now in New York City eagerly anticipating next week’s Luxury Real Estate Awards in Philadelphia. Thus, this latest edition definitely shows a heavy interest in the going’s on in the US of A and the relevance to all of readers – Australian, American and the many more around the world – cannot be understated. Find out what’s happening, what’s interesting and what’s new: these are indeed curious times! Simon Turner

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Australian Real Estate Agent in Final Four for International Real Estate Award

SYDNEY, Australia, Sep 18. Australian Michael Marquette, founder of Marquette Turner Luxury Homes, is one of only two non-American Award Nominees for the 13th Annual Luxury Real Estate Conference to be held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA held Saturday, October 11^th through Tuesday, October 14^th, 2008!

One of only four international real estate agents nominated in the category of Outstanding Rookie, Michael Marquette will be joined at the award’s conference at the Ritz-Carlton by fellow agency founder Simon Turner.

Michael Marquette & Simon Turner

The Who’s Who in Luxury Real Estate is the most prestigious luxury real estate organization in the world, and its website LuxuryRealEstate.com is the most viewed luxury real estate portal in the world. The invitation-only industry peak body is made up of almost 6000 offices worldwide.

Marquette comments that “It is such an honour to have been initially invited to be a part of the exclusive Who’s Who, so to have been nominated for an award is truly humbling”.

He continues “As an Australian I’m very proud to have been recognized. With around 120,000 luxury real estate agents in 65 countries the Who’s Who is an amazing network and I’m thrilled and excited that our hard work has been noticed. What this nomination also demonstrates is what Simon Turner and myself have long believed, that Australian real estate deserves a forward thinking, savvy and luxury agency to showcase some of the stunning properties that our country has to offer to a worldwide audience.

Furthermore “The launch of our company and its success and recognition in just 18 months is testament to the belief of our clients and others important to us in what Marquette Turner Luxury Homes has to offer, and we look forward to further cementing our place in the market.”

Other top real estate industry awards to be awarded during the conference include the Lifetime Achievement Award, the Billionaires Club, Extraordinary Philanthropist, and the Biggest Sale in 2007.

Michael Marquette & Simon Turner are very much looking forward to meeting and learning from some of the world’s leading agent’s and the most influential people in Real Estate worldwide.

For more information please contact Michael Marquette on +61 433 170 170 or via email michael@Marquetteturner.com.au