Very cool, yet very warm. Very rustic yet very modern.

This stunning home overlooks Lake Como, and has picturesque views of the rolling Italian countryside for 360 degrees. Architect Arturo Montanelli has taken much inspiration from the setting, building the home neatly into the hillside slope with natural stones and woods.

The property is peaceful and natural and the Mediterranean flavours just make it ooze style.

Marquette Turner Luxury Homes is currently selling beautifully renovated cottages in Tuscany – please contact us if you would like further details. Click on the link to view the images of Castello di Casole.

Simon Turner

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Italian Architecture: Lake Como Mediterranean-Style Real Estate

The lives in many Australian & Asian households are about to change once their teenagers complete their HSC. Kids are ready to move to the next stage of their lives, as the first formal part of their education is nearly over.

This week has seen the commencement of our HSC exams for all year 12 students in New South Wales. Some 69,261 students (the largest group ever) will sit their exams in over 750 examination centres that also includes schools in Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.

Over 52,000 students have chosen to do a mathematics course, by far the most popular HSC elective. Around 44% of students studied at least one science course and 29% studied at least one history course. Approximately 10% of students enrolled in one or more language courses, with the three most popular languages being Japanese (1,628 students), Chinese (1,617 students) and French (1,439 students.)

113 different courses have been studied this year and written exams will be held for 111 of those courses, with English being the only mandatory subject.

Students will read from 13 million printed pages of questions and submit answers in 1.75 million writing booklets. To put the HSC together, a team of more than 30 people took nearly six weeks to pack all written examination papers, there are more than 5,000 exam supervisors and over 7,000 markers.

Good luck to all HSC Students.

Christine Watson

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GOOD LUCK to our HSC High School Students

The Lindt Chocolate Café has finally opened in Collins Street, Melbourne, adding to its Australian presence (there are four in Sydney already).

Experience a unique, exciting experience and some of life’s sinful creations! Perhaps the degustation tasting with the five senses – look, touch, listen, smell and taste. Or attend a Chocolate Appreciation Evening and learn about chocolate. Or just treat yourself to breakfast, lunch or desert, followed by their famous hot chocolate.

VIST: www.lindt.com.au

Christine Watson

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Lindt Chocolate Café Opens in Melbourne

Luxury Real Estate prices have been affected all around the World with prices still depressed for the top end market. There is enormous uncertainty and concern from many people as to what the real estate market is going to do both locally and abroad.

The Canadian market is performing well as a whole, with the best price increase result for last 12 months when compared to Australia, Spain, France, United Kingdom and the United States.

At the end of the second quarter of 2009 Canadian prices had increased on average by 0.4% (inflation adjusted) year on year. Australia came in second with an average price fall of 2.8% year on year followed by Spain in third place with an average year on year price fall of 7.9%.

France came in at fourth position, losing 9% of value on average followed by the United States in fifth place losing an average of 12% (inflation adjusted). The United Kingdom had the poorest year on year result at the end of the second quarter losing an average of 14.4% of value after accounting for inflation.

The Canadian Western provinces are performing best of all in terms of pricing and new house start statistics. The results for the 3^rd and 4^th quarters of 2009 are vital in assessing at what point the Global real estate market is at in terms of recovery and adjustment and I look forward to discussing those in 2010.

Michael Marquette on +61 433 170 170

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Article originally published on Marquette Turner Luxury Homes

World Real Estate Report – October 2009

Since opening in 2005 Gaia and the owners – one of whom is Australian icon Olivia Newton-John – has received multiple awards and accolades.

Gaia Retreat & Spa is much more than a healthy holiday.

It is a unique retreat and spa experience – with heart. The ideal place to renew, refresh and restore your mind, body and soul. Where “barefeet meets Armani”!

Visit: http://www.gaiaretreat.com.au

Christine Watson

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Article originally published on Marquette Turner Luxury Homes

TRAVEL: Gaia Retreat and Spa in Byron Bay

Most sunglasses are designed to save your own eyes from the sun’s damaging rays, but shades from Kayu Designs also save someone else’s vision. For each pair purchased, Kayu (which means wood in Malay, with the founder of the company, Jamie Lim being a Malaysian born American) donates money for one sight-restoring surgery in the developing world, where 80% of blindness is preventable. Additionally, the glasses are made from sustainable bamboo in fair labour conditions in Wenzhou, China.

KAYU is collaborating with Unite for Sight Inc. in their efforts to promote preventable blindness. For each $180 pair purchased, KAYU donates $50, all of the funds needed for a sight-restoring surgery.

Christine Watson

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Article originally published on Marquette Turner Luxury Homes

GOOD CAUSE: The Gift of Sight

Set on the Pacific Ocean and designed by architect Tatiana Bilbao and artist Gabriel Orozco, the views from this absolute oceanfront Mexican real estate are quite simply out of this world.

The inspiration for the design came not from another home, but from New Delhi‘s Jantar Mantar Observatory, and what a great observation deck this home has, complete with circular swimming pool.

The panoramic views from the living areas are the ideal place to watch the sun rise and set, and the ocean crash.

Simon Turner

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Article originally published on Marquette Turner Luxury Homes

Stunning Mexican Architecture and Real Estate on the Pacific Ocean

Some of Sydney’s most famous real estate is about to take on a whole new appearance.

On Sunday 25th October, the Sydney Harbour Bridge will be closed to traffic, laid with 10,000 square metres of synthetic turf and 6,000 Sydneysiders will lay their rugs out, open their picnic hampers, and tuck into breakfast on hopefully a great Spring morning.

Breakfast on the Bridge is a new event on the calendar and was prompted after Events New South Wales noticed that October presented a glaring gap in the year long plan of festivals.

The result is the Crave Sydney Festival, of which Breakfast on the Bridge is just one of many events.

Sydney’s stunning vista and location will host many other events, such lunch on 2 in sydney harbour" href="http://marquetteturner.com/a-grand-lady-comes-to-town-the-queen-mary-2-in-sydney-harbour/">Circular Quay, dancing the salsa in Darling Harbour as well as enjoying the food festival in Cabramatta.

Let’s hope Crave represents the beginning of many months of fun.

Simon Turner

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EVENT: Breakfast on the Sydney Harbour Bridge

]]> http://marquetteturner.com/event-breakfast-on-the-sydney-harbour-bridge/feed/ 0 Some of Sydney’s most famous real estate is about to take on a whole new appearance. On Sunday 25th October, the Sydney Harbour Bridge will be closed to traffic, laid with 10,000 square metres of synthetic turf and 6,000 Sydneysiders will lay their rugs out, open their picnic hampers, and tuck into breakfast on hopefully a great Spring morning. Breakfast on the Bridge is a new event on the calendar and was prompted after Events New South Wales noticed that October presented a glaring gap in the year long plan of festivals. The result is the Crave Sydney Festival, of which Breakfast on the Bridge is just one of many events. Sydney’s stunning vista and location will host many other events, such lunch on Circular Quay, dancing the salsa in Darling Harbour as well as enjoying the food festival in Cabramatta. Let’s hope Crave represents the beginning of many months of fun. Simon Turner Follow me… Join our Fan Page Article originally published on Marquette Turner Luxury HomesEVENT: Breakfast on the Sydney Harbour Bridge <p>Sydney Harbour Bridge will be closed to traffic, laid with 10,000 square metres of synthetic turf and 6,000 Sydneysiders will lay their rugs out, open their picnic hampers, and tuck into breakfast. Breakfast on the Bridge is a new event on [...] Simon Turner real estate, economy, luxury, sydney, festival, breakfast, food, luxury real estate, property, homes, awards, credit crunch, infrastructure, federal government, investment, spending, celebrity, movie star, hollywood, mansion clean http://marquetteturner.com/usa_real_estate_update_spotlight_on_new_york_and_california/ http://marquetteturner.com/usa_real_estate_update_spotlight_on_new_york_and_california/#comments Sun, 18 Oct 2009 08:26:05 +0000 simon http://marquetteturner.com/?p=10170 Article originally published on Marquette Turner Luxury Homes

USA Real Estate Update: Spotlight on New York and California

]]> It’s fascinating to look at the current real estate market when compared to 12 months prior. Property prices across the US are down by an average of 7.6%, with Florida taking a huge hit with an average decrease in price of 16.9%. California property owners have experienced an average price fall of 11.2% and New York homes have lost an average of 4.8% of value.

There is always danger in “generalizing” property trends as every real estate market is local and there are vast variations in price trends between property types which are even in the same town.

Californian average prices have tracked downward since peaking at $550,300 in the first quarter of 2006. At that time average home prices in New York State were at $283,000, a massive $267,300 less than the Californian average.

As we track toward the end of 2009 what is the current state of play between California and New York? Average home prices in California are currently at $332,600 with New York sitting at $266,000. In other words the 2 States are just $66,600 apart with New York State recording close to a 1% rise in average prices in the last quarter.

Opportunity is knocking for those willing and able to take advantage of the huge price reductions in property right across the United States. International investors are eying off US real estate with continued speculation about the investment intentions of the China Investment Corp, with a massive $300 billion US to invest in mortgage securities backed by office buildings, hotels, strip malls and other commercial property.

Michael Marquette on +61 433 170 170

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Article originally published on Marquette Turner Luxury Homes

USA Real Estate Update: Spotlight on New York and California

]]> http://marquetteturner.com/usa_real_estate_update_spotlight_on_new_york_and_california/feed/ 1 It’s fascinating to look at the current real estate market when compared to 12 months prior. Property prices across the US are down by an average of 7.6%, with Florida taking a huge hit with an average decrease in price of 16.9%. California property owners have experienced an average price fall of 11.2% and New York homes have lost an average of 4.8% of value. There is always danger in “generalizing” property trends as every real estate market is local and there are vast variations in price trends between property types which are even in the same town. Californian average prices have tracked downward since peaking at $550,300 in the first quarter of 2006. At that time average home prices in New York State were at $283,000, a massive $267,300 less than the Californian average. As we track toward the end of 2009 what is the current state of play between California and New York? Average home prices in California are currently at $332,600 with New York sitting at $266,000. In other words the 2 States are just $66,600 apart with New York State recording close to a 1% rise in average prices in the last quarter. Opportunity is knocking for those willing and able to take advantage of the huge price reductions in property right across the United States. International investors are eying off US real estate with continued speculation about the investment intentions of the China Investment Corp, with a massive $300 billion US to invest in mortgage securities backed by office buildings, hotels, strip malls and other commercial property. Michael Marquette on +61 433 170 170 Follow me… Join our Fan Page Article originally published on Marquette Turner Luxury HomesUSA Real Estate Update: Spotlight on New York and California Property prices across the US are down by an average of 7.6%, with Florida taking a huge hit with an average decrease in price of 16.9%. California property owners have experienced an average price fall of 11.2% and New York homes have lost an [...] Michael Marquette real estate, economy, media, interest rates, business, credit crunch, infrastructure, federal government, investment, spending, america, china, website, california, florida, new york, consumer clean http://marquetteturner.com/health-tips-eat-more-chocolate/ http://marquetteturner.com/health-tips-eat-more-chocolate/#comments Fri, 16 Oct 2009 05:28:12 +0000 simon http://marquetteturner.com/health-tips-eat-more-chocolate/ Although not low in kj’s they are essential foods high in MUFA and should be incorporated in each of our three daily meals. Dark chocolate varieties with 70% cocoa solids, such as Lindt, Nestle’ Club or Cadbury Old Gold are the choices and a serving equals 4 or 5 squares.  This is definitely my type of diet!!

Article originally published on Marquette Turner Luxury Homes

HEALTH TIPS: Eat More Chocolate

]]> The Flat Belly Diet currently featured in the new magazine Prevention, advocates the benefit of chocolate and avocado every day.

So what is MUFA? – food containing monounsaturated fatty acids.

Although not low in kj’s they are essential foods high in MUFA and should be incorporated in each of our three daily meals. Dark chocolate varieties with 70% cocoa solids, such as Lindt, Nestle’ Club or Cadbury Old Gold are the choices and a serving equals 4 or 5 squares. This is definitely my type of diet!!

Christine Watson

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Article originally published on Marquette Turner Luxury Homes

HEALTH TIPS: Eat More Chocolate

]]> http://marquetteturner.com/health-tips-eat-more-chocolate/feed/ 0 The Flat Belly Diet currently featured in the new magazine Prevention, advocates the benefit of chocolate and avocado every day. So what is MUFA? – food containing monounsaturated fatty acids. Although not low in kj’s they are essential foods high in MUFA and should be incorporated in each of our three daily meals. Dark chocolate varieties with 70% cocoa solids, such as Lindt, Nestle’ Club or Cadbury Old Gold are the choices and a serving equals 4 or 5 squares. This is definitely my type of diet!! Christine Watson Follow me… Join our Fan Page Article originally published on Marquette Turner Luxury HomesHEALTH TIPS: Eat More Chocolate <p>Although not low in kj’s they are essential foods high in MUFA and should be incorporated in each of our three daily meals. Dark chocolate varieties with 70% cocoa solids, such as Lindt, Nestle’ Club or Cadbury Old Gold are the choices [...] Christine Watson health, chocolate, diet, real estate, luxury clean